EC backs Ranjita Shrestha as NUP Chair

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission has ruled in favor of Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha in the internal leadership dispute within the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), delivering a significant political setback to the party’s patron Resham Chaudhary faction.

In a late-night decision on Tuesday, the Commission declared the national assembly convened by Resham Chaudhary’s group illegal.

According to Commission sources, the assembly violated both the Political Parties Act and NUP’s own constitution, and therefore its resolution to appoint Lalbir Chaudhary as the new party chair was not recognized.

Earlier, patron Resham Chaudhary had convened a national assembly with a majority of central committee members to remove Ranjita Shrestha from all positions, including that of a general member.

Subsequently, they nominated Lalbir Chaudhary, a Member of Parliament from Kailali, as the new chairperson and filed a request with the Election Commission to update official records accordingly.

Before making the ruling, the Commission sought submissions from both factions and reviewed their claims against the provisions of the Political Parties Act and the party’s constitution.

Ultimately, the Commission reaffirmed Ranjita Shrestha as the legitimate chairperson of NUP.

A leader close to Shrestha confirmed the late-night decision and said the official letter from the Commission is expected by Wednesday. “We have heard about the decision but have not yet received the official letter. We will comment further once the letter is in hand,” the leader said.