Badri KC Faction Fueling Division in Nepali Diaspora, Engaged in Parallel Activities

Kathmandu: The faction led by Badri KC, which has occupied the central office of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), is causing division within the globally united Nepali community and working in favor of a particular political party. As per the Supreme Court's mandate, the official executive committee of the NRNA has been in place under the leadership of Mahesh Kumar Shrestha since the Nepali month of Baisakh (April–May).

However, the KC-led unauthorized committee is actively engaged around the clock in dividing and disrupting the global Nepali society, challenging the official committee.

The anti-social activities of this group have severely weakened the credibility of the NRNA. Despite the Supreme Court's mandate to transfer all responsibilities and the office to Shrestha, the KC faction has been involved in various illegal actions and disputes.

Even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not recognized them, the KC faction continues to spread the illusion that it is the legitimate leadership. In accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive, Mahesh Kumar Shrestha was elected as President of NRNA ICC during the Unity General Convention organized by the High-Level Committee led by Shesh Ghale in May.

Badri KC had approached the Supreme Court to halt the Shrestha-led executive committee, but the court did not issue an interim order. “Therefore, the only legitimate executive committee is the one led by Mahesh Shrestha,” said ICC Spokesperson Gangadhar Gautam.

All Nepali diplomatic missions and embassies abroad have also recognized the Shrestha-led committee. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a circular to that effect some time ago. “The NRNA under the leadership of Mahesh Shrestha has come with a message of unity. All office bearers are dedicated and contributing to the association and the Non-Resident Nepalis, which has restored the community’s trust,” Gautam added.

Mahesh Shrestha was elected to lead the NRNA with a mandate to maintain unity, and his team has been working accordingly, he said.

Under Badri KC’s controversial leadership, pressure is being placed on NCCs (National Coordination Councils) to conduct elections only until July 31, creating unnecessary tension within the NCCs, which many believe is further dividing the Nepali community.

By misusing ICC’s authority, the KC faction has suspended the elected NCC committees and even claimed to suspend the election committees formed by NCC general assemblies, conducting parallel activities against the statutes and due process.

Since Mahesh Shrestha's leadership is legitimate, the Badri KC group appears panicked as it is now politically and legally sidelined. By transforming the NRNA into a sister organization of the UML (a political party), the KC leadership has acted under the protection of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and taken over the NRNA Secretariat following Oli’s direction and influence.

This group has also allegedly misused the funds collected from members across the globe. NRNA members claim that in their greed for positions, the group has used association funds even to pay legal fees, thereby depleting the organization's treasury.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expert analysts, the Badri KC group will not be allowed to conduct any activities related to the upcoming general convention of the NRNA in October. Any activity carried out without informing the Ministry and in violation of the Supreme Court's ruling cannot be legally recognized. “Legally, there can be no general convention in October. It’s just a temporary illusion intended to deceive Non-Resident Nepalis. The KC leadership is fueling division and fragmentation instead of unity within the NRNA,” said spokesperson Gautam.

As the Badri KC-led group is walking the path of destroying the NRNA, calls are rising from within the NRN community to socially boycott the group.