London — The sixth convention of the International Nepali Forum UK, held in Aldershot on 3 October 2026, elected Bimala Limbu as president for a second term.
Barshaman Pun ‘Ananta’, former minister and head of the Organisation Department of the Nepali Communist Party’s (NCP) Central Work Coordination Committee, attended the convention as chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Pun said that significant progress had been made in roads, electricity and technology under the federal democratic republican system. Although the Rastriya Swatantra Party had formed the government, he argued that the NCP had prevailed in terms of its political agenda. He said the country was moving forward on the issues and achievements championed by today’s NCP and the former Maoist party, and urged everyone to advance with enthusiasm.
Speakers offering their congratulations included Tilak KC, co-in-charge of the Western Provincial Committee, who travelled from the United States; Basanta Rai from Nepal; and Birman Gharti Magar from Belgium. Among guests representing other organisations, Councillor Dhan Sarki and Dharma Bahadur Tamang, a central committee member of the Janata Samajbadi Party, also delivered goodwill messages. Umesh Moktan welcomed those attending.
During the closed session, coordinator Bimala Limbu presented the financial and organisational reports. Tul Chhantyal and Krishna Khanal presented proposed amendments to the statute, while Biswasdip Tigela presented the political report.
The closed session unanimously adopted a proposal in the organisational report calling for the UK committee to be recognised separately, rather than remaining under the Europe Front and the Western Provincial Committee. The proposal argued that the UK had left the European Union and that its Nepali population exceeded the combined Nepali population of the EU’s 27 member countries.
Fourteen people joined the party at the event, receiving tika and ceremonial khada scarves from chief guest Pun. They were Santosh Rai, secretary of the Janata Samajbadi Party UK; Dipesh Karki; Saurab Rai; Sharad Lawati; Gautam Rai; Dinesh Bantawa; Ganesh Rai; Kiran Limbu; Roshani Rai; Rohan Basnet; Balihang Limbu; Nabin Rai; Bikesh Limbu; and Dipendra Gharti Magar.
The election committee, comprising retired Major Yogesh Koyi as coordinator, Krishna Tiwari as secretary and Lila Selling Mabo as member, announced the new executive committee. Bimala Limbu was elected president, with Kapil Rai, Hari Aryal, Santosh Rai and Dinesh Dhakal as vice-presidents. Bhim Rai was elected general secretary, Bir Balal and Sangharsha Rai as secretaries, and Bharat Tumbahangphe as treasurer.
The elected members are Arun Thapa, Sushila Dawadi, Gautam Rai, Sharad Lawati, Nabin Rai, Saurab Rai, Ganesh Rai, Dinesh Bantawa, Bidur Rai and Kumar Bantawa. Chief guest Pun administered the oath of office to the newly elected office-bearers and members. The two other presidential contenders, Karma Pahadi Sherpa and Phul Prasad Kandel, supported Limbu’s continuation as president.
The convention followed the unification of the Nepali People’s Progressive Forum, the Overseas Nepali Unity Forum and Nepali Samaj in February. The newly elected committee will serve a two-year term. The International Nepali Forum UK operates as an overseas organisation of the Nepali Communist Party.
