Sharma tendered his resignation to Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the party headquarters claiming that it was not ethical to hold two positions at the same time. He was elected as the Kathmandu district chief of the party a month ago. “It is not justifiable to hold the duel responsibilities simultaneously. My resignation is to pave the way for the new leadership in the ANNISU-R,” read his resignation letter. Sharma, who is in the student politics for past 28 years, was imprisoned for around 10 years during various occasions. He was also imprisoned and tortured in Nepal Army’s Bhairav Nath Barrack for 27 months.

Sharma was elected to the post during the 18th National Convention held in 2010 and was temporarily given the leadership from the 19th convention following a dispute over the chairmanship. Incumbent vice-chairmen duo Ramesh Malla and Jagrit Rayamajhi are lobbying for the post. Malla is considered close to Dahal while Rayamajhi close to Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankaji Shrestha.