The unity convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has unanimously elected a new executive committee under the leadership of Mahesh Shrestha.

The election committee announced the results on the second day of the convention in Kathmandu. Shrestha, a Japan-based entrepreneur, was elected chair unopposed.

Likewise, Khagendra Neupane, Lok Prasad Dahal, Sunil Kumar Shah, Manoj Kumar Shrestha, Bishwasdeep Limbu, Buddhisagar Subedi, and Janaki Gurung were elected vice-presidents.

Baburam Lama has been elected general secretary. The newly elected secretaries are Tanka Prasad Gaire, Chintamani Sapkota, Tilak Prasad Gaire, and Devaki Khatri Gurung. Thakur Prasad Dhungana is the new treasurer, and Krishna Prasad Pokharel is the deputy treasurer. Rashmi Thapa and Bhimsen Thapa were elected as women and youth coordinators, respectively.

Regional coordinators and deputies were also elected. Balram Shrestha (Asia-Pacific), Prem Bahadur Gurung (Europe), Ramesh Shrestha (Middle East), Dhiluram Parajuli (North and South America), and Irsad Ahmad (Oceania) have been selected as regional coordinators.

The high-level committee led by Shesh Ghale convened the convention following an April 2024 Supreme Court order by Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Nahakul Subedi, aimed at resolving the longstanding disputes within the NRNA.

The dispute began over representative selection for the 10th convention. In January 2022, the 81st meeting under then-president Kumar Pant formed a seven-member high-level committee coordinated by patron Shesh Ghale with Upendra Mahato, Jiba Lamichhane, Dev Man Hirachan, Bhawan Bhatta, Ram Pratap Thapa, and Kumar Pant as members. The Supreme Court later reinstated this committee.

However, the executive committee led by Badri KC—elected during the 11th International General Assembly—did not participate in the unity convention. Founding president Upendra Mahato and other founding members were also absent.

KC’s faction maintains that its term lasts until mid-October 2025 and insists that the unity and regular conventions be held jointly. It has announced that the 12th International General Assembly and Global Conference will take place in Kathmandu from October 11–14.

Speaking at the convention’s opening, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said the Supreme Court and the foreign ministry recognise the unity convention.

“We recognise only one NRNA,” she said. “My ministry acknowledges this one. Everyone should unite under this. There will be no separate entities. This is the official one.”

The NRNA has long struggled with internal divisions. After disputed leadership elections and parallel operations by rival factions, the court had initially suspended all activities and instructed for a fresh mandate through consensus.

Though the association has historically maintained a neutral and developmental role in Nepal’s diaspora affairs, recent years have seen growing politicisation and partisan interests prevailing in the organisation.