Dr. Shekhar Koirala, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress, has questioned businessman and party leader Binod Chaudhary‘s eligibility for the central committee, citing his lack of 10 years of active party membership.
During a Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting, Koirala expressed concerns about Chaudhary’s status after he became a central committee member at the 14th General Convention.
This issue underscores the internal party rules regarding the acceptance of individuals from other political backgrounds and the criteria they must fulfill.
Koirala raised doubts about Chaudhary’s membership qualifications, stating that he had not completed the required 10 years of active membership.
“According to our party rules, candidates must have at least 10 years of active membership,” Koirala stated.
He also referenced Sujata Koirala, who was deemed ineligible for the central committee due to the same 10-year requirement.
“Why was this rule not applied to him?” Koirala questioned.
This situation has sparked discussions about the consistent application of party statutes and the criteria for candidate eligibility.
Chaudhary joined the Nepali Congress in 2017, transitioning from the CPN-UML, where he previously won a seat in the Constituent Assembly in 2008.
After joining the Nepali Congress, Chaudhary ran for election at the 14th General Convention in 2021 and secured a central committee seat under the Madhesi inclusion category.
This raised debates about his eligibility based on his political history and duration of membership.
In response to Koirala’s remarks, Chaudhary defended his appointment, stating it adhered to party protocol, with his political background legally reviewed by the party’s legal team.
Chaudhary also mentioned a favorable court ruling regarding his selection.
“We should not exclude experienced individuals from the private sector; they can offer valuable contributions to political organizations,” Chaudhary said.
This has ignited discussions about the role of business leaders in politics.
The matter has escalated to the Supreme Court, with Dr. Subash Chandra Yadav filing a complaint about Chaudhary’s lack of 10 years of active membership.
Yadav raised concerns about Chaudhary’s eligibility during the election process and approached the Election Commission.
This has led to controversy over the interpretation of Nepali Congress statutes.
The conflict between Koirala and Chaudhary highlights broader discussions about internal party rules, membership criteria, and the influence of prominent figures from outside the party.
Koirala emphasizes the need for consistent application of party rules, while Chaudhary defends his selection, underscoring the importance of clear eligibility criteria in determining leadership roles.