Ghale Declines NRNA Patron Role; Call for NRNA Office-Bearers to Have No Criminal Convictions
London: The second meeting of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) International Coordination Council (ICC), held on 14 June 2026, announced the formation of the Patron Council.
The meeting, held on 13–14 June, approved the Patron Council. The patrons named were founding president Upendra Mahato, former presidents Jiwa Lamichhane, Mahesh Kumar Shrestha, Dr. Badri KC, and NRNA visionary Bhim Udas. Before the announcement, President Dr. Hemraj Sharma informed the meeting that former president Shesh Ghale had been requested to serve as a patron but declined the offer. According to the NRNA constitution, the Patron Council may consist of only five members.
The meeting also unanimously appointed Nepal expert David Gellner of University of Oxford as an advisor.
The meeting reviewed the applications of candidates who had filed nominations and fulfilled the required procedures during NRNA Nepal’s General Convention and selected several office-bearers. Sabu Paudel of the Netherlands and Padam Giri of Qatar were appointed as Secretaries. Suresh Pun of Denmark was appointed Deputy Regional Coordinator for Europe, Min Shrestha of France was appointed Assistant Treasurer, and R.K. Mahato of Malaysia was appointed Regional Coordinator for Asia. Rems Khanal, Satya Jha, and Dinesh Aryal, all from Malta, were appointed as ICC Members.
During the meeting, Vice President Ram Sharan Simkhada opposed the policy of excluding individuals who are actively involved in politics from NRNA leadership positions. Another Vice President, Biswasdip Tigela, proposed that individuals found guilty of criminal offences should not be allowed to contest NRNA elections.
He stated that although NRNA is home to many successful and respected individuals who have made valuable contributions to the organisation, its reputation has been undermined when a small number of individuals accused of offences such as human trafficking and labour exploitation have held positions of responsibility. He argued that NRNA should introduce provisions preventing individuals accused or convicted of criminal offences from becoming election candidates.
This is believed to be the first time that such a demand has been formally raised within NRNA, calling for individuals facing criminal allegations or convictions to be barred from standing as candidates in NRNA elections.
