KATHMANDU: A major shake-up has hit the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), as party patron Resham Chaudhary has removed his wife Ranjita Shrestha from the position of party chair and is preparing to appoint his father, Lalbir Chaudhary, as the new leader.
This decision comes just days after Ranjita, citing health reasons, delegated her responsibilities to senior vice-chair Shiva Bastola as acting chair. The move was seen by many as an attempt to avoid disciplinary action, as a majority of central committee members had issued an ultimatum demanding she call a meeting within 24 hours.
However, Resham, who has distanced himself from Ranjita both politically and personally, expressed dissatisfaction with her decision to appoint a new acting chair without consulting the central committee.
In a meeting held Wednesday evening, the faction led by Resham officially decided to remove Ranjita from the chairperson position.
Resham criticized Ranjita’s unilateral decision, saying, “She should have convened a central committee meeting to discuss this. It’s important for party members to know who the legitimate chair and acting chair are.”
He further stated that the responsibility for the current crisis lies clearly with Ranjita. While saying that the decision to appoint a new chair ultimately rests with the party, he indicated a preference for his father, Lalbir, to take over leadership.
The internal rift has plunged the party into deep uncertainty. The NUP, which had surprised many by winning four seats in the federal parliament and securing representation in both Sudurpaschim and Lumbini provincial assemblies during its first election, now faces a crisis of leadership and internal balance of power.
Ranjita has expressed dissatisfaction with the move and may initiate a counteraction with support from her faction. The unfolding conflict has put the future direction of the party into question just as it was beginning to establish itself on the national stage.
