NRNA Unity Nears: Activists and Leaders Arrive in Kathmandu
Kathmandu. An historic unity in the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is drawing close, aiming to end the long-standing disputes, division, and bitterness within the organization.
A comprehensive agreement has been finalized following detailed discussions, legal interpretations, and institutional analysis between the leadership of President Dr. Badri K.C., elected from the 11th General Convention, and the leadership of President Mahesh Kumar Shrestha, elected from the Unity General Convention. This agreement resolves the intense conflict that has persisted since the 10th General Convention. The final preparations for the signing ceremony, which is set to take place in the direct presence of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, are now complete.
On the eve of the unity assembly, top leaders from both factions have arrived in Kathmandu. A grand welcome was organized at Tribhuvan International Airport for the team active in the unity campaign, including former ICC President RK Sharma, Spokesperson Gangadhar Gautam, Middle East Coordinator RC Ramesh Shrestha, and former NRNA Qatar President Ramesh Bhatta.
The welcoming party included NRNA ICC President Mahesh Shrestha, Vice Presidents Khagendra Neupane and Manoj Kumar Shrestha, Youth Coordinator Bhimsen Thapa, along with other leaders and activists. The atmosphere at the airport reflected the joy of unity and reunion.
Both sides have agreed to end all past disputes and differences, respect the Supreme Court’s orders, and resolve questions of institutional legitimacy and leadership through consensus. The agreement formalizes the acceptance of the leadership from the 11th General Convention, which was recognized by the court, and officially installs Mahesh Shrestha, the president elected from the Unity General Convention, into the leadership of the association.
A shared commitment between the two groups is to hold a transparent and credible 12th General Convention within the next six months. For this purpose, a Steering Committee will be formed under the coordination of President Mahesh Shrestha. This committee will systematically manage all structures, including elections, monitoring, membership management, the judicial mechanism, and MIS system improvements.
By formally accepting the structures elected from both the 10th and 11th General Conventions, the long-standing division is set to end, strengthening institutional unity.
The association will now move forward in an integrated manner, free from legal pressure, following the decision to mutually withdraw or resolve all pending court cases concerning NRNA’s legitimacy and official status. The agreement also specifies that the consensus document will be signed in the presence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and any future disputes will be resolved through MoFA’s coordination.
President Mahesh Shrestha called the unity an historic opportunity to connect the global Nepali community under a single objective. President Dr. Badri K.C. stated that both sides have united based on a shared commitment to advance the institution with stability, transparency, and adherence to established procedures.
Upon arriving in Nepal, former President RK Sharma conveyed a message of having achieved lasting unity by prioritizing the issues of 8 million expatriate Nepalis and the trust of the general Nepali populace. Spokesperson Gangadhar Gautam expressed that the years-long division, bitterness, and misunderstanding have been put to rest, laying the foundation for fraternity and cooperation among non-resident Nepalis.
