Who will become NRNA Chair: Shesh Ghale or TB Karki?

Online Khabar

Kathmandu, October 15. Backing Shesh Ghale for the position of Non-Resident Nepalis’ Association President, contender Ratan Jha has withdrawn his candidature.

The move is the result of initiatives that former NRNA presidents had taken in a bid to elect NRNA president unanimously. However, another contender for NRNA leadership, TB Karki, has refused to withdraw candidature, meaning Karki and Ghale will vie for the post in the election slated to begin at 1 pm. Jha said he withdrew his candidature for the sake of unity among NRNs and in view of the country’s situation.

Ghale has earned praise for initiating several projects in the capacity of NRNA president. NRNA has signed an agreement with the government for construction of 1,000 houses for people, who lost their homes in recent spate of quakes. NRNs based in different countries had pressed Ghale to chair NRNA one more time to undertake post-quake reconstruction works in Nepal.

The new NRNA working committee, which will take shape after the election, will have to build 1,000 permanent houses for the quake-hit, construct NRNA’s own office building, and operate foreign employment welfare fund, among others. An entrepreneur based in Australia, Ghale figures in the list of the world’s richest persons. Around 1,500 NRNA representatives from 71 countries are taking part in the convention that will elect NRNA leadership.

Six candidates, including incumbent Vice-president Bhawan Bhatta, are contesting the post of VP, while four are in the fray for NRNA General Secretary. Four candidates are eyeing the post of NRNA Secretary, while five are seeking the Treasurer’s position.

Thursday’s election will also choose coordinators and joint coordinators for six regions, women coordinators and youth coordinators.