KATHMANDU: The Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), once buoyed by regional and ethnic fervor, finds itself ensnared in familial strife.
Contrary to the adage that “matrimonial alliances are fleeting,” the ascension of Ranjita Shrestha as party Chairperson has proven detrimental to her husband Resham Chaudhary, the patron of the party.
The rift between Ranjita and Resham has escalated into a dire power struggle, threatening to cleave the party in twain.
With the party presidency wielding ultimate authority in parliamentary affairs, Resham finds himself legally hamstrung, while dissenting party members face retribution.
Leaders and activists lament the imminent collapse of the party amid the political discord between Ranjita and Resham Chaudhary.
Talking to Khabarhub, a party leader confided, “The marital discord has cast a pall over the party, unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
Resham’s social media posts reflected his frustration, emphasizing the political nature of their dispute and warning against alliances detrimental to the party’s interests.
Meanwhile, Resham and Ranjita contend that their clash isn’t personal but ideological, a battle for the soul of the party.
Resham asserted to Khabarhub, “Allegations abound, but this is not a mere feud. It’s a struggle for justice and principle. We won’t be pawns in the UML-Maoists’ game. The truth will emerge in due time.”
Ranjita, as party Chairperson, acknowledged differing viewpoints within the party, emphasizing unity in diversity.
She stated, “Our familial bonds remain intact. While ideological divergence exists, my focus is on expanding our party’s reach. United we stand.”
The discord between Ranjita and Resham reverberates in the corridors of power, particularly affecting the governance of Sudurpaschim Province.
With seven MPs hailing from the party in the Sudurpaschim, two align with Shrestha while five stand with Chaudhary.
In a bold move, Shrestha ousted Ghanashyam Chaudhary, leader of the Sudurpaschim Province Parliamentary Party, replacing him with MP Kailash Chaudhary.
This has exacerbated tensions between Resham and Ranjita.
Shrestha enjoys close ties, whereas Ghanashyam Chaudhary’s removal further alienates Resham.
Additionally, Ranjita’s dismissal of the party’s Provincial Assembly Member Indira Giri stokes further resentment from Resham’s camp.
Resham, frustrated with the party leadership, warns, “The future of the party hangs in the balance.”
As Ranjita aligns with another coalition at the national level, she calls on parliamentarians to withdraw support from the government led by Nepali Congress Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah.
However, reports suggested Resham has instructed his party’s MPs not to comply, deepening the divide.
As Ranjita escalated her actions against perceived adversaries within the party, observers noted Resham’s strategic maneuvers, sparking speculations of retaliatory measures and party fragmentation.
The clash between Resham and Ranjita, once confined to verbal jousts, escalated to physical altercations and expulsions.
As the Resham-Ranjita feud rages on, the Nagarik Unmukti Party finds itself mired in internal strife and legal quagmires, threatening its cohesion and political standing.
During a central party meeting, tensions boiled over, resulting in physical altercations involving party president Ranjita and members of the party leadership.
Central members Ramlal Dagaura Tharu and Ramesh Bishwakarma bore the brunt of the altercation.
In response, President Shrestha swiftly expelled Bagmati State President Deep Bahadur Yonjan Tamang and Gandaki State President Rajan Gurung from the party, citing their involvement in the altercation.
The rift between Resham and Ranjita traces back when Resham advocated withholding a vote of confidence from Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
However, Ranjita’s reluctance to align with the UML-Maoist coalition strained relations further.
Despite Resham’s pleas to uphold political integrity, Ranjita’s actions fueled resentment within the party ranks.
Resham’s social media posts reflected his frustration, emphasizing the political nature of their dispute and warning against alliances detrimental to the party’s interests.
The discord between the couple spilled onto the political stage, with Ranjita’s refusal to support Prime Minister Prachanda’s government exacerbating tensions.
Observers suggest that the party teeters on the brink of division due to the marital discord, with a significant faction aligning with Resham’s stance.
Resham’s dissatisfaction stems from the exclusion of the patron from party deliberations, further fueling internal dissent.
Meanwhile, legal battles compound the party’s woes.
Despite Resham’s unanimous election as chairman in 2080 BS, legal hurdles obstructed his official recognition.
Provisions barring individuals convicted of murder from holding political office hindered Resham’s formal appointment as chairman.
However, his subsequent pardon enabled his release from prison but failed to resolve the legal impasse.
As the Resham-Ranjita feud rages on, the Nagarik Unmukti Party finds itself mired in internal strife and legal quagmires, threatening its cohesion and political standing.
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