Election campaign heats up at FNCCI

Kathmandu, Nov. 10

As the date of the election for the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) approaches near, two candidates for the post of senior vice president, Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Kishore Kumar Pradhan, have expedited their campaign across the country.

More than 30 district and municipal chamber of commerce and industry (CCIs) have pledged their support to Pradhan for his election to the post of the Senior VP.

In a programme organised in Janakpur on Tuesday, chairman of FNCCI, State 2 committee Shiva Shankar Shah said that the 30 CCIs had agreed to extend their support to Pradhan. According to him, they would vote for Pradhan against his competitor Chandra Prasad Dhakal.

Pradhan and Dhakar are in the fray of FNCCI’s election slated for November 28. Both of them are incumbent vice-presidents.

 FNCCI is the largest business body in Nepal and has extensive networks across the country. The business body elects its senior vice presidents who would be automatically elevated to the post of the president after three years. Therefore, the election witnesses a fierce battle for the post of the senior VP.

Shah said that they decided to support Pradhan as the upcoming president Shekhar Golchha also supported him.

CCIs from Janakpurdham, Dhulikhel, Saptari, Malangwa, Sarlahi, Gaushala, Jaleshwor, Mahottari, Birgunj, Inruwa, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Udayapur, Makwanpur, Lahan, Siraha, and Dhankuta have formally pledged their support to Pradhan.

Likewise, CCIs in Charikot, Urlabari, Damak, Mechi, Kapilbastu, Bara, Rautahat and Bardibas, and Morang Udhyog Sangathan have also decided to support him.

As Kathmandu CCI’s president Dinesh Shrestha is contesting the election for District/Municipal VP from his panel, Pradhan has their support as well.

Pradhan said that he had 28-year experience working with the business community through the platform of the FNCCI and would work for the rehabilitation of the businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Helping the small and medium enterprises is my top agenda,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, all CCIs in Gandaki Province had pledged their support to Dhakal.

Welcoming Dhakal in Pokhara, 16 district/municipal CCIs said that their working committee had unanimously decided to support him.

Sanjib Bahadur Koirala, president of FNCCI Gandaki, said that the FNCCI leadership must be capable from every aspect. “Dhakal has always put his efforts to solve our problems, he is a suitable candidate,” he had said.

Present in the programme were the presidents of CCIs from Lamjung, Baglung, Parbat, Syangja, Lekhnath, Devchuli, Nawalpur, Shuklagandaki, Galyang, Gaindakot, Waling and Myagdi.

Dhakal has also the support of 12 CCIs from Bagmati State.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 November 2020.