KATHMANDU:- A dispute has flared up again between the UML-affiliated Badri KC group and the Congress-affiliated Mahesh Shrestha group during preparations for the 12th general convention and international conference of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

After the controversy escalated, the Badri KC faction close to the UML has postponed the press conference called for Wednesday due to the controversy.

The NRNA Steering Committee meeting held on January 24 had decided to organize a joint meeting in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discuss whether members would be able to participate online.

As per the same decision, it was decided to hold a coordination meeting with legal experts under the leadership of UML close chairman Dr. Badri KC and Nepali Congress close chairman Mahesh Kumar Shrestha.

Then on Monday, the Badri KC group close to the UML met with Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma and informed him about the preparations for the 12th General Convention.

It is reported that during the meeting with Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma, discussions were held on the formation of the main organizing committee, amendments to the law related to non-resident Nepalis, and the format of the general convention.

However, the controversy erupted after a press conference was called to provide information about the general convention, jointly organized by the NRNA and the Government of Nepal. A faction close to Nepali Congress President Mahesh Shrestha has accused Badri KC of unilaterally holding a press conference without consent.

On this issue, NRNA spokesperson Gangadhar Gautam said that Chairman Shrestha is in favor of group unity. He said that the general convention will be held according to the final certified statute registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to spokesperson Gautam, the 2022 statute, including the 2017 amendment, has provided for a hybrid model for members around the world to vote online, with a physical presence in Nepal. The KC faction close to the UML is pushing for the establishment of an online voting system.

According to Shrestha, a close Nepali Congress, calling the press conference a “one-sided and ill-advised attempt to create controversy” and attempting to move forward unilaterally without discussing it with the steering committee, there is a danger that unity will be further weakened.

On this issue, NRNA spokesperson and steering committee member Gangadhar Gautam has clarified that the press conference scheduled for Wednesday will not be held institutionally.

Gautam said, “The election process for the 12th Unity Convention is still in the discussion stage. No decision can be made until written instructions are received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Gautam emphasized, “If Badri KC, a close ally of the UML, moves forward unilaterally, it will go against the spirit of unity. Direct elections were the spirit of the previous unity convention and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Law also supported it.”

NRNA General Secretary and Steering Committee member Gauri Raj Joshi said that efforts are being made to bring everyone together in the organization. He opined that physical voting should be prioritized and all members should be given voting rights. He said that if the delegate system is abolished, belonging within the association will increase.

Let us remember that earlier, Badri KC, close to the UML, and Mahesh Shrestha, close to the Congress, had united through a seven-point agreement. Although the date and venue for the 12th General Convention, which will be held in March as a unity convention, have been set as per the agreement, the latest controversy has raised concerns that the NRNA could once again move towards division.

Meanwhile, after the controversy came to light, the NRNA Secretariat issued a notice on Tuesday night, postponing Wednesday’s press conference.