The Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) faction led by party patron Resham Lal Chaudhary has removed party chair Ranjita Shrestha and appointed Lalbir Chaudhary, as the new central committee chair.

The decision was made during a national plenary held on Wednesday and Thursday in Kathmandu, according to parliamentary party leader Gangaram Chaudhary. Lalbir Chaudhary, Resham’s father, is the current federal lawmaker from Bardiya-2.

Shrestha, who is Resham’s wife, was dismissed from both her position as party chair and from general membership. She has been embroiled in controversy following allegations of involvement in a land grab case in Batulechaur, Pokhara, which is now under investigation by anti-graft authorities.

The Resham Chaudhary-led faction claimed they had repeatedly asked Shrestha to appear before the plenary to clarify her position regarding the accusations, but she failed to comply.

“We asked her multiple times to answer the questions regarding the charges in front of the plenary,” Resham said. “When she did not show up, the party decided to move forward with new leadership to resolve the deadlock.”

Tensions within the party have been escalating in recent weeks, with Shrestha even issuing a notice seeking clarification from Gangaram Chaudhary over his action, which she said was against party interests and violated party statutes and the Political Parties Act.

The ongoing dispute marks a turning point for the party, which has been increasingly divided along factional lines. The power struggle between Ranjita and her husband Resham—who still holds considerable influence within the party—has further complicated its internal dynamics.