NRNA Day: Two factions to celebrate separately

Kathmandu, October 11 — The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), embroiled in internal disputes, will celebrate its establishment day (NRNA Day) on different dates by two factions.

The NRNA led by Badri KC and the NRNA led by RK Sharma are set to hold separate events to mark NRNA Day on Friday.

On the occasion of NRNA Day, KC's faction has organized a worship program at Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath on Friday morning.

According to KC, on the occasion of the establishment day, the association has urged its national committees to conduct various institutional and philanthropic activities throughout the month of October.

Similarly, Sharma's faction will celebrate NRNA Day through a virtual platform. The afternoon program is expected to have participation from Nepalese government ministers, former NRNA presidents, representatives of various organizations, and NRNA activists.

Established in 2003 with the slogan "For Nepalis, by Nepalis," the Non-Resident Nepali Association has branches in 87 countries worldwide.

The NRNA was officially established in October 11-13, 2003, during the first global conference held in Kathmandu, following a gathering of Nepalis in London in August of the same year. Since then, October 11 has been celebrated as NRNA Day.

The London meeting saw the participation of Dr. Upendra Mahato from Belarus, Bhim Udasi and Jiba Lamichhane from Russia, and Ram Pratap Thapa from Germany.

However, internal conflicts within the NRNA have escalated recently. Disputes that began during the tenth general convention have intensified by the eleventh convention, leading candidates RK Sharma and Mahesh Shrestha to reject the results.

Shrestha claimed that Badri KC won the election through fraud, and Sharma was selected as president with his support. Since then, KC and Sharma have been conducting separate activities.

In fact, the Supreme Court issued a ruling regarding the legality of the NRNA's tenth general convention last March, ordering a unity convention under the leadership of former president Shesh Ghale, reverting to the situation as of January 15, 2022. This ruling determined that the tenth and eleventh conventions lacked legitimacy.

Following this, KC's faction appealed to court, currently operating from the Secretariat in Baluwatar. After KC's return to Baluwatar, Sharma's faction has taken another issue to court, claiming legitimacy. This matter is currently under consideration in the Supreme Court.