Incumbent Vice President of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Bhawan Bhatta and Jamuna Gurung, wife of Sesh Ghale, the current President of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), have filed their nominations for the post of NRNA president.

Gurung, also a member of International Coordination Council (ICC) of the NRNA, the apex umbrella body of 500 non-resident Nepalis (NRNs), filed her nomination at 10am on Tuesday, while Bhatta had filed his nomination for the top post on Sunday.

The two candidates decided to run for the post after the two factions failed to reach consensus.

“Gurung filed her nomination in the final hour of candidacy registration after parleys between the two factions failed to generate consensus,” said a participant present during the meeting. “Both groups are working to come to an agreement. However, it is highly unlikely that they will reach agreement.”

The election for the NRNA top post will commence from 3pm today unless one of the aspirants withdraw their candidacy by 12 pm.

“A 35-member working committee is to be elected,” said Kul Prasad Pandey, member of the election committee, “Many have filed their nominations for various posts and few have been elected unopposed.”

NRNA president candidate Bhatta has floated community investment and smart NRNA academy as his election agenda and Gurung’s agenda include completion of the NRNA building and Laprak Model Settlement.

The 8th global conference and international general assembly of the NRNA, which is being attended by over 1,500 NRNs, kicked off in Kathmandu on Saturday. 

The biggest highlight of the programme will be the election of the International Coordination Council (ICC) of the NRNA, the apex umbrella body of NRNs, which will be held on Monday.

The NRNA-ICC last held its election in 2015. The NRNs have been working in an organised way in Nepal and other countries since October 2003 following the establishment of the NRNA. Since then, the NRNA has expanded its networks to 77 countries around the globe. Over 100,000 Nepalis, except those residing in South Asia, are associated with the NRNA. It is reported that five million Nepalis are living in 110 countries across the world.