KATHMANDU, APRIL 29
As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has filed a case at the Supreme Court seeking six months to implement the Supreme Court's first verdict with regard to the General Convention of Non-Resident Nepali Association, uncertainty looms over the Shesh Ghale-led committee's decision to hold the unity convention on May 3-5.
Joint Secretary at the Office of the Attorney General Govinda Khanal told THT that MoFA filed a petition seeking six months more time to hold NRNA General Convention with the hope that rival factions would amicably settle their differences and they would participate in the General Convention. Khanal said that the MoFA's move was in accordance with the provision of Supreme Court Regulation which allows party to seek delay in the execution of judgment by six months but such a request should be endorsed by a bench of the court.
The current uncertainty appears to be the byproduct of contradictory decision of the SC.
A division bench of SC Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Nahakul Subedi had, on April 3, 2024, nullified 10th conventions held separately by rival groups. The top court had said that that the high-level committee formed under Shesh Ghale by the 81st meeting of NRNA International Coordination Council prior to the controversial conventions should work to hold the next convention keeping the spirt of Nepali diaspora association which seeks to bring together NRNs and help Nepal in its overall development.
However, a division bench of Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Tek Prasad Dhungana had, on August 6, 2024,ruled that the Dr. KC-led committee should be allowed to function without obstruction.
Following this verdict of the SC, KC-led committee has been officially operating the NRNA office. The KC-led committee has decided to hold the 12th NRNA General Convention from October 11 to 14 in Kathmandu.
Shyam Tamang, an NRNA representative in the USA told THT that about 700 NRNA representatives from around the world had arrived in Nepal for May 3-5 General Convention and if the convention were stopped, it would create hassles for NRNA representatives who have spent their valuable time and money for the General Convention. Tamang said a 13-member high level committee was formed under Shesh Ghale in accordance with the SC's first decision and hence any argument to nullify the decision of the Ghale-led committee would be wrong.
He said the government had sent its representative in the Ghale-led committee complying with the SC's first verdict and now it was bizarre on the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to file a petition at the SC seeking to delay execution of the SC decision delivered on April 3, 2024.
Tamang said that it was natural to have differing views within an organisation but differing views should not be allowed to stop an organisation from doing its main duty. "I cannot understand why so many petitions are filed at the SC to stop NRNA from holding its General Convention," Tamang said adding that stopping NRNA from holding its planned General Convention on May 3-5 would adversely impact the NRNA activities and consequently Nepal's interests.
Bench of Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla and Nahakul Subedi had issued a mandamus telling the stakeholders to hold the General Convention within six months, and if the May 3-5 General Convention is stopped, it could violate the SC order, he argued.
Tamang said that earlier, MoFA wanted to the NRNA to hold its General Convention without delay, but now it reengaged on its pledge.
A few days ago, Coordinator of the High-Level Committee of the NRNA Shesh Ghale had stated that the NRNA General Convention was mandatory under the court's order and will proceed under any circumstance, barring unforeseen natural disasters. He warned that any attempt to obstruct the convention would be considered contempt of court and made it clear that the process of unification within the NRNA cannot be stopped.
An election committee, chaired by Senior Advocate Gopal Krishna Ghimire, with members Retired Major Damar Ghale and Advocate Ashish Upreti, has already been formed to conduct the elections for a new International Coordination Council (ICC).
A separate Election Monitoring Committee has been formed under former NRNA President Devman Hirachan to ensure a fair and transparent process.
Ghale stated that NRNA played a key role in increasing investment in Nepal, advocating for the rights of the Nepali diaspora, and contributing to social welfare.
