Intense Battle Heats Up for Senior Vice President Position at Federation of Commerce and Industry

Kathmandu. As the general elections in the country reach their final stages, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), the umbrella organization for the private sector, is heating up with its own election atmosphere.

With the 60th Annual General Meeting of the Federation scheduled for Chaitra 28 and 29, which will elect a new leadership, industrialists and businesspersons have entered the competition arena by forming panels.

According to the Federation's bylaws, the current Senior Vice President, Anjan Shrestha, is certain to automatically become the President for the upcoming term. Therefore, a two-sided tug-of-war has now begun for the position of Senior Vice President, which is considered the line for the future leadership of the Federation.

Hemraj Dhakal and Ramchandra Sanghai are moving forward with their respective strategies for this position, which is considered the second-in-command of the Federation. According to sources, discussions are underway within Sanghai's panel regarding whether Surakshya Vaidya or Sanghai will advance. If Sanghai becomes the candidate for Senior Vice President, Vaidya is likely to step back.

Hemraj Dhakal Announces Panel, Supported by Former Presidents

The current Commodity Vice President of the Federation, Hemraj Dhakal, announced his candidacy for Senior Vice President along with his panel last Monday.

Dhakal, who began preparations about two years ago, has received strong support from former presidents. Current President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, along with former presidents Pashupati Murarka, Pradip Kumar Shrestha, Chandiraj Dhakal, and Ravibhakta Shrestha, were present at his candidacy announcement event.

Former President Chandiraj Dhakal, who holds influence in the Federation's politics, is Hemraj's full brother.

In Dhakal's panel, Jyotsna Shrestha, currently the Associate Vice President, is running again for Associate Vice President. Similarly, Nareshlal Shrestha, a Federation member who secured the highest votes in the previous election, is running for Commodity Vice President, along with Kalpana Gaire and Umesh Dalmia for District/City Vice President. Kamala Shrestha has been announced as the proposed candidate for Women Vice President.

Ramchandra Sanghai Also Preparing to Announce Panel

Ramchandra Sanghai, who was defeated by Anjan Shrestha for Senior Vice President three years ago, is preparing to announce his panel again for the same position this time. Sanghai's group has also nearly finalized its team.

In Sanghai's panel, Ramchandra Sanghai or Surakshya Vaidya for Senior Vice President, Prabaljung Pandey, Chairman of Citizens Bank and Director of Lomas Group, for Associate Vice President, Shiva Prasad Ghimire, a petroleum and hydropower entrepreneur, for Commodity Vice President, and Krishna Prasad Sharma and Dilsundar Shrestha are preparing to file nominations for District/City Vice President.

Sanghai appears to benefit from the support of Prabaljung Pandey, who is considered close to former President Bhawani Rana. Pandey is considered strong in the Associate category due to the legacy of his father, Pradipjung Pandey, and his own maturity.

Federation Vice President Surakshya Vaidya has also stated his claim for the Senior Vice President position. Vaidya said, 'I have served as Central Member twice and Vice President once. Now I must become Senior Vice President and move into leadership; I don't have a habit of just occupying a post. We will formally announce the team on the 6th of next month rather than rushing an announcement before the team is formed.'

He stated that he is a natural candidate in the current situation.

Bylaw Amendment and Change in Leadership Selection Process

The President of the Federation will be elected through a direct election system starting after the next term. The provision for the Senior Vice President to automatically become President has been removed through a bylaw amendment initiated by the incumbent President, Chandra Prasad Dhakal.

However, this new arrangement will only be implemented from the term following the current Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha automatically becoming President. According to the amended bylaws, there will now be two Senior Vice Presidents in the Federation, and the number of Women Vice Presidents has also been increased by one.

Currently, both groups are intensifying district tours and lobbying to build momentum in their favor.

Sanghai is preparing to announce his team on Chaitra 6. With the election fervor increasing, it is understood that Anjan Shrestha's team is likely to make its formal announcement on Chaitra 6. Panel-based practice has already begun within the Federation.