Following the Election Commission's refusal to recognize Lalbir Chaudhary as the party’s chairman, the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) is heading toward further rift.
A meeting of the Election Commission held on Tuesday decided not to grant legitimacy to Lalbir, who is also a member of the House of Representatives, as NUP chairman. It also declared the party's national gathering that concluded on July 30 as invalid.
The same gathering, held under the leadership of party patron Resham Chaudhary, had decided to remove Ranjita Shrestha and appoint Lalbir as chairman. They had then submitted an application to the Election Commission to update the party's details.
However, Resham said that since the party had already embarked on a different path through the national gathering, there was no obligation to accept the Election Commission's decision.
"I formed the party while in jail as part of the Tharuhat and Tharuwan movement. Since I was imprisoned, I had no choice but to appoint Ranjita Shrestha as party chairperson," Resham told Setopati. "But we concluded that she could not run the party. This is not my conclusion. You all know I have no role in the party. This is a collective decision of colleagues."
Resham said it was unfortunate that the Election Commission did not accept the decision signed by 13 out of the party's 21 founding members. He further said that since the commission had already made its decision, he was not in favor of commenting much on it.
"The Election Commission made its decision, but the people have also made their decision regarding the NUP," he said. "We respect the people’s decision. We are on a political journey and have already declared that we will take a different path. Since the national gathering has already decided not to accept her leadership and charted a new course, there is no question of turning back."
Resham said that they would not pursue legal action against the commission’s decision and would instead move forward by respecting the people’s verdict. He added that the founding central members would soon hold a meeting and make their stance on the matter public.
"I’ve already said that I have no role in the party. I always think about how to strengthen the party, organize the movement, and serve the nation’s interests," he said. "Since my release from jail, I haven’t slept properly for even a day. I’ve been running from Mechi to Mahakali to build the party. Just because the commission didn’t validate our decision doesn’t mean we quit politics. Therefore, I’ll sit with the party’s leaders and move forward based on what they decide."
He acknowledged that appointing Ranjita as founding chairperson and later replacing her with his father, Lalbir, led to accusations of promoting nepotism, adding that he was trying to move forward dispelling such accusations. He also hinted at the possibility of selecting a new chairperson from among the party’s founding members.
When asked if there were plans to hold another national gathering or general convention, Resham said that whatever the founding central members decide would be the party’s decision and would be implemented too.
"Ranjita also has some people, and she has also been insisting on running the party. Maybe she will run it," he said. "But we’ve already chosen a different path. There is no going back to the old stagnation. But whatever decision is made will be through the collective decision of the founding central committee members."
The NUP had held its first general convention in January 2024 and elected Resham Chaudhary as chairperson. However, the Election Commission refused to grant recognition to his leadership, citing his conviction and imprisonment in the Tikapur incident of August 24, 2015. It also refused to update the party’s new working committee, following which the NUP reverted to its old committee under Ranjita Shrestha.
Resham then challenged the Election Commission’s decision in the Supreme Court, where the case is still under consideration.
"I can’t say much about a case under consideration in court, but I believe we’ll get justice. There is no question of not respecting the people's decision," he said.
The NUP’s national gathering on July 30 had appointed Resham’s father, Lalbir, as chairperson. But the Election Commission’s meeting on August 12 refused to update the party’s chairperson for the second time.
This time, the commission cited two reasons for not recognizing the national gathering’s decision.
“National gathering itself illegitimate”
The Election Commission concluded that the so-called national gathering held on July 30 was illegitimate.
According to Article 41 (1) of the NUP’s statute updated with the commission, the authority to convene a central committee meeting lies with the central chairperson, Ranjita Shrestha. Therefore, any gathering or meeting not called by her would be illegitimate, the commission said.
In a letter sent to Lalbir Chaudhary informing him about the decision, the commission said, "According to Article 41 (1) of the statute of the Nagarik Unmukti Party updated with this commission, the authority to convene a central committee meeting lies with the party's chairperson. Apart from the provision in sub-clause (2) that allows the general secretary or secretary to call a meeting under the chairperson's direction, the statute does not envisage any other office-bearer or member calling a meeting."
“Lalbir Chaudhary not even a central member or office-bearer”
The cmmission noted that Lalbir Chaudhary, who was claimed to have been elected chairperson, is neither a central member nor an office-bearer of the party.
When the NUP was formed in December 2021, it had 21 founding central members. Their list was submitted to the commission.
Lalbir Chaudhary had submitted an application to the commission to update the party’s details based on the decisions made on July 30. However, the commission dismissed the application, stating that the gathering that concluded on July 30 had appointed someone who was not even a founding member as the central chairperson.
Ranjita Shrestha had written to the commission on August 3, claiming that she was removed as chairperson by holding an illegitimate national gathering.
On July 31, she had sought clarification from parliamentary party leader Gangaram Chaudhary for calling a central committee meeting on July 27 without her instruction. She had also informed the commission about it. Gangaram claimed that the parliamentary party wing had convened the meeting.
The commission then wrote to Lalbir on August 5, asking for a detailed explanation.
Lalbir responded on August 7, stating that the collective decision of the party's well-wishers, workers, and committed individuals constituted the party's decision.
Uncertainty over Rupandehi-3 candidacy
The NUP is part of the seven-party Federal Democratic Front.
The front has already decided to field a common candidate for the by-election in Rupandehi-3 and give the seat to the NUP. However, the Janamat Party, which is also part of the front, has decided to field its own candidate.
The other parties in the front – Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Rastriya Mukti Party, Janata Pragatisheel Daha, and Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party – have pledged support to the NUP.
But the commission’s latest decision has put Resham Chaudhary in a tight spot. Since Ranjita has not attended the front’s meetings, Resham has been leading the party in the meetings.
"The commission’s decision has put us in a difficult position. After the commission dismissed the decision to appoint Lalbir as chairperson, we must find a new way forward," he said. "Since candidacies will be filed on October 7, there’s still time."
He admitted that the commission’s decision could have some impact on their preparations to attract new voters and secure a favorable result in Rupandehi-3.
The by-election in Rupandehi-3 is scheduled for November 3.
