Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has appointed Umesh Shrestha as the party’s treasurer.

NC Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel said that the president picked Shrestha for the position in accordance with clause 21(4) of the NC statute. The party president holds the authority to nominate the treasurer under this provision.

Shrestha, a businessman and former Minister of State for Health, contested the 2022 House of Representatives election from Chitwan-2 but was defeated. His candidacy had sparked criticism within the party, as some party members claimed he was favoured over long-serving leaders of the country’s grand old party.

Shrestha’s appointment comes three years after the NC’s 14th general convention, held in Kathmandu. The party is now preparing for its 15th general convention, which must be held next year as per the statute.

Shrestha worked in the education sector for over 42 years and held leading positions at Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal (PABSON) and Higher Institutions and Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal (HISSAN).