NRNA Dispute Resolved As Agreement Reached for Single Association

The dispute within the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has been resolved. Following the 10th Convention, which resulted in a division of NRNA into two factions, an agreement has finally been reached to reunite as a single entity. A four-point agreement has been drafted, effectively putting an end to the ongoing dispute.

Under the initiative of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' the dispute within NRNA has been resolved, and a consensus to unite has been achieved. Former Finance Minister and Deputy General Secretary of the CPN Maoist Centre, Janardhan Sharma, also played a key role in resolving the NRNA dispute. Following discussions between the two groups on Sunday, they signed an agreement for unity in the presence of PM Dahal and Janardhan Sharma.

During the occasion, Prime Minister Prachanda expressed that coordinating with the two groups for the government had been challenging, and he expressed his satisfaction that the factions had come together. The Prime Minister suggested that both sets of statutes be verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in order to merge as one.

Chairman Dr. Bardi KC and Chairman Binod Kunwar have been engaged in talks and dialogues for an extended period to reunite the divided NRNA. A negotiation committee was formed under the coordination of Janaki Gurung and DB Chhetri, with the presence of Vice President RK Sharma and others.

An agreement has also been reached with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to withdraw the cases filed in court against the ministry and the association, as well as to cancel other activities, mechanisms, and structures of a similar nature that align with the non-residential Nepali association.

Chairman Binod Kunwar stated that there is a significant task ahead to unite the divided organization, and further discussions will take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Expressions of gratitude have been conveyed to the officers of both sides, counsellors, media personnel, and all relevant parties who worked towards reuniting the divided NRNA.

The agreement explicitly mentions that the 11th convention and elections scheduled for October will not be hindered due to this agreement.

Both parties have acknowledged in the agreement that the 10th Convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association could not serve as a convention of unity. They have now decided to continue the association as a unified organization and hold the 11th convention in October.

According to the agreement, both parties have agreed to hold the 11th convention in October. Additionally, a high-level monitoring committee will be formed with representatives from both parties. The committee's responsibilities will include overseeing membership distribution, selection of convention delegates, and the election of national and international coordination councils.

To ensure the participation of representatives from both parties in the upcoming convention and election, the current officers, members, patrons, advisors, honorary council members, as well as the current and outgoing presidents of the NCC, will automatically serve as convention representatives for both parties. Additionally, the ICC representatives will be selected based on the priority outlined in the statute. NCC officials, members, and others will also be chosen as representatives to the General Conference based on their preferences as provided in the constitution.

Furthermore, the officials, members, patrons, advisors, and honorary council members from both sides of the NCC and ICC will be jointly recorded and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The letter of agreement states that after the 11th convention, officials from both parties serving in various positions of the ICC and NCC will have the same status as former officials. Moreover, both parties' members will be enrolled according to the current MIS system.

Lastly, the memorandum of understanding clarifies that NCCs whose membership applications are currently closed will have an opportunity to verify their membership by June 30.

See four-point agreement here: