NRNA: President Shrestha Urges NCCs Not to Participate in KC Faction’s Convention Until Supreme Court’s Final Verdict

Kathmandu — Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) President Mahesh Kumar Shrestha has urged the National Coordination Councils (NCCs) to remain patient until the Supreme Court’s final decision. He clarified that, since all cases related to the NRNA’s legitimacy have reached the Supreme Court’s full bench, any convention organized by the KC faction before a verdict would be invalid.

While congratulating the newly elected presidents, office bearers, and members of the NCCs from the recently concluded elections, President Shrestha requested all NCCs to cooperate with the legitimate International Coordination Council (ICC). He stated that the general convention planned by the Badri KC faction in October held no validity and that the current executive committee would take legal measures to stop it.

“If you are with us, do not participate in the proposed October convention and do not send membership fees. By withholding membership fees and not participating in a convention that violates the court order, you can exert pressure,” he said.

Shrestha expressed that he did not want to divide the NCCs and urged all sides to act responsibly in building a unified NRNA. He reminded that when the KC faction went to court to block the committee elected from the May 3–4 convention organized by the high-level committee formed under the Supreme Court’s mandamus order, no interim order was issued, so no one should be misled. He noted that six NRNA-related cases are before the full bench and expressed hope that the court would soon provide a resolution.

He further said that any NCCs that recognize the legitimate executive committee and contribute to unity would be acknowledged as official NCCs by his leadership. Emphasizing respect for the court’s future verdicts, he informed that his team had initiated action-oriented programs, including a general assembly in the UAE on September 21 and the NRNA Investment Summit in Kathmandu on October 11.

At the program, NCC South Korea President Bipin Gurung said they were ready to support the legitimate committee and called for moving forward in consensus. NCC Portugal President Deepa Kafle mentioned facing difficulties from members within the ICC itself. She stressed the need for office bearers and advisors to prioritize saving the organization over personal interests. “No matter where we are in Portugal, we will always work to strengthen the organization,” she said.

NCC Kuwait President Dil Kumar Pakhrin said that despite an unwanted split within the organization, they had decided to cooperate with the Mahesh Kumar Shrestha-led committee after the Badri KC group tried to form a parallel committee.

NCC Canada Spokesperson Lila Thapa said that disputes over recognition had put NCCs in a difficult position, adding that there was no alternative to unity.

NCC Germany Vice President Sijan Dahal said his committee had been under heavy pressure from the KC group and that the upcoming committee would not cooperate with any ICC until the court’s decision.

NCC Spain President Santosh Shrestha said they had been working in cooperation with everyone and had brought all perspectives together. He stated that he joined the NRNA to work and would only accept positive expressions.

NCC Malta President Remesh Khanal accused the KC group of creating chaos in Malta. He complained that despite providing maximum support in good faith, political bias had been shown. He urged diplomatic missions in respective countries to correspond regarding the official NCCs.

NCC Qatar President Krishna Panthi complained that the Qatari Embassy had not provided support and called on ICC leadership to take initiative to solve the problem. He said the NCC was ready to establish a labor desk at the embassy and urged for action to make it happen.

ICC member and former NCC Italy President Chhabilal Kandel said NCCs could play a role in course correction in ICC disputes. He stressed that abiding by the Supreme Court’s mandamus order was the right thing to do and would remain so in the future. He remarked that some colleagues were pretending not to understand, creating difficulties, and that the KC group had rewarded those with double standards in the past by appointing them to a parallel committee. “There is only one NRNA — the one led by Mahesh Kumar Shrestha. Other sides are just factions,” he said.

NCC Oman President Suresh Khadka said they had remained neutral on ICC issues. “We will take a side only if the ICC unites; otherwise, we won’t,” he stated.

NCC Netherlands President Bishnu Pokharel said the NCC would not recognize the alternative team formed by the KC group, condemning attempts to divide a united NRNA community. NCC UK Spokesperson Dr. Kul Prasad Kandel said KC’s faction appeared to have mistaken Shrestha’s flexibility for weakness, but he affirmed that the Shrestha-led committee was the legitimate one and urged NCCs not to be misled.

NCC Thailand President Sanjay Dhakal said his committee would only cooperate with the legitimate ICC and added that the NRNA should also include “People of Nepali Origin (PNO).” NCC Australia’s Vivek Thapa said they were aligned with the official NRNA.

Also speaking at the event were ICC Secretary Tilak Gaire, Europe Regional Coordinator Prem Gurung, Middle East DRC Sunil Kumar Ghimire, and Sanjiv Shrestha (USA), who extended congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected NCC officials, ICC members, and newly appointed advisors.

In the interaction session, Americas Sub-Regional Coordinator N.B. Tandon, NRNA Canada Chair A.R. Bhattarai, NCC UK Spokesperson Dr. Kul Prasad Kandel, former NCC France President Geeta Khanal Thapa, and Om Prasad Kaucha (UK), among others, stressed the need for unity in the organization and suggested addressing the issues facing NRNs.

Concluding the event, Secretary Chintamani Sapkota thanked everyone and accused the KC group of misusing the name of online voting. He said everyone should oppose actions that divide the NCCs.