The recently concluded party elections of the Nepali Congress has infused new life into the party. Since people had already announced their candidacies for party president, Congress members thought the election would lead to a break-up of the party. But this did not happen. Instead, it seems that the grassroots workers and other party activists have sent a message to the leaders that division of the party should not take place at all and that the party should stay united. Girija Prasad Koirala may not have been completely successful in providing direction or efficient leadership to the party, but the elections have shown that party members want him to continue as party leader. Party activists have strengthened Koirala's hand and made him invincible for the time being.

Koirala himself could be surprised by this verdict. Despite all the infighting and discrepancies in the election process, more than 68 percent of the party members voted for Koirala and his supporters. Ten percent were not clear about their choice, but in most cases Congress members joined the winning side. In places where they were not clear as to whom to support, it seems the Koirala camp swept the posts for district leadership. District presidents from the Koirala camp were seen to be more influential and powerful.

There were many who had never imagined such an outcome. Most thought that it would be 40 to 60 percent in Koirala's favour, and that with Krishna Prasad Bhattarai's help Sher Bahadur Deuba would be able to weaken Koirala's position, but undecided voters proved this wrong.