Tussle at NCC ends; Basnet to continue at helm

KATHMANDU, MAR 24 -

The week-long tussle between two factions of the Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC) has been resolved as they reached an understanding on the number of issues, including new membership distribution.

A faction supporting President Suresh Basnet were staging protests in front of the NCC building for the last few days demanding new membership, while another faction close to General Secretary Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal was against distribution of fresh membership.

After the Agrawal faction conceded its number of positions, the two sides could compromise, according to NCC sources.

The agreement reached on issuing fresh membership and renewing membership of 1,500 traders has allowed Basnet to continue as president for the next tenure. It also paved the way for fixation of a new date for the annual general meeting which will elect a new executive committee, according to NCC officials.

Basnet said the matter has been resolved as the rival camp accepted to entertain fresh applications for membership and renewal. “We will formally hold negotiations on Sunday and fix a new date for the general assembly as well as the election,” he said, adding the executive committee meeting to be held on Sunday will also access the new roadmap for NCC.

An executive committee member, who represents the anti-Basnet faction, confirmed they reached consensus on the three aforementioned issues. “Although we were not satisfied with Basnet’s performance, we agreed to accept him as president for the second term due to his continued desire to remain at the helm,” he said.

However, Basnet’s supporters said they will withdraw their protests only after the signing of a formal agreement.

Basnet wanted to increase the number of NCC members by 30 percent through fresh membership and renewal. But, he faced strong opposition from other executive members, including Agrawal, Treasurer Rajendra Aryal, Immediate Past president Surendra Bir Malakar, Senior Vice-president, Lok Manya Golchha and Past President Rajesh Kaji Shrestha.

The opposition group wanted to elect Shrestha as president, claiming NCC’s stature diminished during Basnet’s tenure.

Although some 1,500 individuals had applied for new membership and renewal on March 17 — the closing date of submission of the application — the NCC Secretariat had refued to accept those applications. After being denied membership, they formed a struggle committee on Tuesday to push for acceptance of their applications.

They blamed Agrawal of directing not to entertain their applications and unilaterally calling AGM on April 8 without the executive committee decision.

Basnet, however, published another notice on Friday stating the proposed date for the AGM has been postponed until new notice is published.

Source: The Kathmandu Post