KATHMANDU: The political and personal relationship between Ranjita Shrestha, ousted chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), and Resham Lal Chaudhary, the party’s patron, has reached a point of deep division—likened by many to two banks of a river: close, yet never meeting.
Ranjita and Resham, who are also husband and wife by Tharu tradition, have been running parallel paths in politics since the formation of NAUPA in the wake of the Tikapur incident on August 24, 2015, in which eight security personnel, including SSP Laxman Neupane, and a minor were killed. The political rift between them has become increasingly visible over time.
Though both still make efforts to display unity—often sharing photos together on social media—observers note these gestures seem more symbolic than genuine. While Ranjita posts images with Resham, he is often seen with another wife at official functions, even during ticket distributions.
Tensions reached a peak on Wednesday when the party faction aligned with Resham convened its first national gathering in Kathmandu and removed Ranjita from both the position of chairperson and as an ordinary member of the party. This move has effectively split NUP before it could face a second election.
Ranjita maintains that she is still the chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP). However, on Thursday, Resham Lal Chaudhary appointed his father, Lalbir Chaudhary—who is also a member of the House of Representatives—as the new party chairperson.
According to Resham’s faction, the party’s Election and Disciplinary Commission had recommended action against Ranjita the day before. Acting on that recommendation, the national gathering made the decision to expel her.
Of the party’s 21 founding central members, 12 were present at the gathering. Elected representatives at all three levels—federal, provincial, and local—were also invited. Three out of four NUP MPs in the House of Representatives and five out of seven MPs in the Sudurpaschim Provincial Assembly attended the gathering.
Before the meeting, on July 27, a Central Committee meeting had asked Ranjita for a 24-hour explanation. Thirteen founding members were present at that meeting.
Prior to this, the majority had given her an ‘ultimatum’ to call a Central Committee meeting, which she ignored. Instead, citing health reasons, she appointed senior vice-chair Shiva Bastola from Pokhara as acting chair.
This appointment further fueled internal discord, culminating in the national assembly decision to remove her. Earlier, on June 30, 2025, NUP had already removed Ranjita from her position as parliamentary party leader, replacing her with Gangaram Chaudhary. Ranjita, however, remains a directly elected MP from Kailali Constituency No. 1.
In response to her removal, Ranjita has issued a notice demanding an explanation from Gangaram Chaudhary, accusing him of violating the party’s interim constitution by calling and chairing unauthorized meetings.
Ranjita has rejected the legitimacy of the meeting decisions, stating that only the party chairperson has the authority to convene such a gathering. Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of the Agriculture Committee at Singha Durbar on Thursday, she emphasized that the decisions taken in violation of the party’s constitution are invalid.
The political split within NUP also had immediate consequences. During a vote of confidence taken by Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Shah on Thursday, only one NUP MP—Kailash Chaudhary—was present and voted in favor, while six other party MPs were absent.
Ranjita continues to argue that the national assembly’s decisions, made without constitutional authority, hold no legal standing and reaffirmed that she did not convene any such meeting as chairperson.
Ironically, the success of the party he founded from behind bars paved the way for his eventual release. Resham was granted a general amnesty after the votes of NUP’s MPs became crucial in the formation of the federal government.
Ranjita maintains that she is still the chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP). However, on Thursday, Resham Lal Chaudhary appointed his father, Lalbir Chaudhary—who is also a member of the House of Representatives—as the new party chairperson.
NUP, which entered the electoral arena for the first time, achieved unexpected success in local, provincial, and federal elections, earning the opportunity to participate in government at all three levels.
Resham founded NUP while serving a prison sentence after being convicted in the Tikapur incident. As he was unable to legally register the party himself, he named his wife, Ranjita, as chairperson and had the party formally registered with the Election Commission ahead of the 2079 local elections.
Following the Tikapur incident, Resham had gone into hiding and spent an extended period in Indian border towns. While still underground, he registered his candidacy in the 2079 BS House of Representatives elections—and won.
After his election victory, Resham surrendered to Kailali police and spent his entire parliamentary term in prison. The Supreme Court upheld the verdict of the Court of Appeal, affirming his conviction in the Tikapur case.
Ironically, the success of the party he founded from behind bars paved the way for his eventual release. Resham was granted a general amnesty after the votes of NUP’s MPs became crucial in the formation of the federal government.
Comment