Nagarik Unmukti cadres accuse leadership of running party 'like a private company'

Kathmandu, October 7 — Ranjita Shrestha, the chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, has warned that any activities causing harm to the party will result in disciplinary action, including expulsion from the party, even for ordinary members.

Chair Shrestha noted that some party members have shown a tendency to disrespect the party leadership by making baseless accusations and posting unfounded claims on social media without considering their positions.

She clarified that anyone engaging in such activities is not a loyal member of the party and warned that disciplinary actions would be taken against them through the disciplinary commission. Emphasizing that such activities will no longer be tolerated, she mentioned that party members have complete freedom to express their views in party meetings and that the process of purifying the party is already underway, as stated in a recent circular.

However, some party leaders have accused that this circular was issued recently while using an old date. They allege that the circular was released after one party leader was jailed for comments made on Facebook.

Ramit Chaudhary, a party leader, was imprisoned after posting on Facebook about the personal secretary of Lakshman Kishor Chaudhary, a minister from the party in Sudurpaschim. The leaders from Kailali and Kanchanpur have been claiming that the secretary, Nabin Thapa, is not a member of the party and was appointed only after he joined.

After Ramit Chaudhary wrote about this on his Facebook, Thapa filed a complaint under cybercrime laws.

Based on that complaint, Ramit was arrested by the police on September 27. Ramit was held in custody for five days and released on bail. Nim Chaudhary, a leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, claimed that Ranjita Shrestha issued the circular dated September 24.

Party leaders have accused Resham Chaudhary and Ranjita Shrestha (a couple) of running the party like a private company. 

“Ramit Chaudhary is a long-time party worker. If someone who hasn’t been present at any party events since its formation suddenly appears and becomes the minister's personal secretary, it is bound to upset anyone,” said Nim Chaudhary. “Those who have contributed to the party and helped build it are not given any recognition.”

Birendra Chaudhary from Tikapur shares similar grievances. Lakshman Kishor Chaudhary, who is a resident of Tikapur, faced criticism from locals who had high expectations after he became a minister, but Birendra accused him of neglecting Tikapur.

When someone from their own place and village becomes a minister, the local people naturally have various expectations. However, Minister Lakshman has appointed his personal secretary from Kanchanpur and allocated budgets elsewhere, which has angered party leaders and workers from Kailali and Tikapur.

Some leaders have even warned that if the couple continues to manage the party without collective decision-making, they may leave the party.

Pradeep Chaudhary, the party chairman from Kailali district, alleged that the party's issues stem from the center rather than the district or province, asserting that Resham and Ranjita are primarily responsible for the party's deterioration.

“They are doing whatever they want; no one is there to stop them or say anything. Those who raise their voices are directly punished,” Pradeep said. “How can a party function in this situation? There’s still time to fix things. The party should be freed from being treated like a private company and should operate under collective leadership.”

Pradeep clarified that even though Chair Shrestha had previously taken disciplinary action against leaders and workers like Nabin Thapa, they were released shortly after, and no one knows why the actions were taken or why they were lifted. “The party must operate according to its rules; arbitrary actions can cause significant damage,” he stated.

Dissatisfaction within the Nagarik Unmukti Party has intensified at both provincial and district levels. Following criticism of the party leadership, a central committee meeting scheduled for the 7th and 8th of October was postponed.

While Chair Shrestha and founder Resham Chaudhary claimed that the meeting was postponed due to flooding and landslides, other leaders argue it was actually due to the disputes within the district.