NRNs urged to hold unity convention as per statute

Kathmandu, June 18

Foreign Affairs Minister, N. P. Saud has requested the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) – a global organization of non-resident Nepalis – to hold a convention as per the constitution.

In a discussion with a delegation of the NRNA at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Sunday, FM Saud asked the representatives of the NRNA's establishment side and the group that remained dissatisfied since the organisation's 10^th convention to hold the convention according to the statute.

He suggested to the representatives of both sides who called on him jointly to be clear about the statute of the association and plan the convention accordingly. "According to the statute, leaders are selected through a due process. Some lose, some win. So, first of all, the legislation should be clear," said FM Saud.

Stressing that the relationship between the MoFA and the NRNA should be clear and conflict-free, he said that the relationship between the two should not be controversial. If there is a need, the MOFA would take action only according to your statute, he further said.

He also reminded the representatives of NRNA that the tendency to control any organisation and organnise parallel activities at a time when someone doesn't have control over the institutional affairs are fatal.

FM Saud also suggested both sides to amicably sort the issues out. "Bring the matter of acceptance to the ministry and leave the rest of the issues to the court. If the MoFA makes any decision, don't take it for granted because if we made any decision, it would be as per the statute of the organisation," he said.

A case about NRNA's dispute is under consideration at the court.

In the meeting with Foreign Minister Saud, Executive Chairman of NRNA Dr. Badri KC had informed that both sides had agreed on unity only on Sunday.

Earlier in the morning, the two sides reached to an agreement touted as 'unity' in the presence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between KC and Vice Chairman RK Sharma, and Binod Kunwar from the dissatisfied group while the coordinators of the high-level negotiation committees DB Chhetri and Janaki Gurung also signed the document.

The letter of agreement mentions that the 11^th general assembly would be organised in October 2023 and it would be the convention of consensus, cooperation and unity.

For this, a high-level monitoring committee will be formed incorporating the representatives from both sides.

The committee will monitor the distribution of membership, the selection of convention delegates and the election of national and international coordination councils.

There is a provision that NRNA should get the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the amendment of the constitution.

The NRNA's leadership was split during the 10^th general convention held last year due to issues like membership distribution, leadership election and holding the convention.

It was the dispute of the selection of the representatives for the National Coordination Council in various countries for the 10^th General Convention. A group went to the MoFA with a complaint and the ministry asked not to conduct the election but the association filed a case at the high court which gave a verdict in favour of the NRNA.

Since the events were likely to turn to unfavourable situation for both the sides, some senior leaders including the dissatisfied ones decided to form a team and move ahead. As a result, the NRNA now has a council of three presidents and they take the executive role one after another.

Former President Shesh Ghale from the dissatisfied group was absent during the previous efforts to forge consensus although Kul Acharya and Binod Kunwar are representing his fraction in the association. The latest agreement is likely to end all disputes, according to the NRNA sources. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 June 2023.