MoFA initiates correspondence for NRNA unity convention

Kathmandu, October 20 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated correspondence to convene a unity convention for the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

On Sunday, the Ministry reached out to former chairman Shesh Ghale and the NRN Secretariat regarding the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision dated April 4. An official from the Ministry stated that the correspondence included directives for Ghale to organize the unity convention.

"We have sent a letter instructing the implementation of the points mentioned in the decision, starting from the copy of the ruling," the official remarked.

The joint bench of Justices Sapana Malla Pradhan and Nahakul Subedi had ruled on April 4, regarding the dispute over the official status of the NRN, directing that activities should commence from the status of January 15, 2022, and that a unity convention should be held within six months under the leadership of former chairman Ghale.

It is noteworthy that this correspondence from the Ministry follows six and a half months after the ruling. The complete text of the ruling was made public on August 1.

In light of the ruling, Rajesh Shamsher Rana from the NRN, led by Binod Kunwar, filed a writ against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NRN central office, the chairperson of the proposed statute amendment committee, Upendra Mahato, and Dr. Shesh Ghale, the chairperson of the high-level committee. The Supreme Court's decision mandated that all NRN activities revert to the status of January 15, 2022, and instructed that activities, including the convention, be initiated from that point.

Amidst the dispute concerning representatives, the NRN’s 10th convention held on March 27, 2022, elected Kul Acharya, Badri K.C., and Rabina Thapa as chairpersons. This committee had received legitimacy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with each chairperson selected to serve a six-month term alternately.

Prior to this, on March 21, 2022, Binod Kunwar was elected chairman at the 10th convention under the leadership of Shesh Ghale. While conducting the convention, Ghale supported Kunwar's group, and since he was the coordinator, the convention held under his leadership was deemed valid, leading Kunwar's group to appeal to the Supreme Court.

However, the Supreme Court returned the association to its status as of January 15, 2022, without granting authority to anyone. The 81st meeting of the International Coordination Council of the NRN, held on January 15, 2022, established a high-level committee under Ghale's leadership to address the current situation of the NRN and promote unity and brotherhood among all non-resident Nepalis. The court determined that a unity convention must take place from this point, as no disputes were observed regarding the formation of the committee.

The full text of the ruling indicates that the committee led by Ghale must convene its first meeting within 30 days of receiving the letter and must resolve all related disputes regarding membership, elections, and representation within six months to conduct the unity convention.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling, the executive committee elected during the 10th and 11th conventions was declared illegal, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter instructing the elected K.C. not to carry out any duties from the Baluwatar Secretariat amid the dispute. However, after K.C. approached the court against this letter, the Supreme Court ordered that the letter not be executed. Subsequently, K.C. resumed his duties from the Secretariat, and the Ministry has now corresponded again with the mandate to hold the unity convention.

In the meantime, former chairman Ghale responded that he had heard about the correspondence from the Ministry but had not yet received the letter.