Businessman and billionaire Binod Chaudhary has been elected vice president of the Nepali Congress, receiving 1,745 votes at the party’s 15th General Convention.
Chaudhary won by a narrow margin, defeating his closest competitor, Jiban Pariyar, who garnered 1,658 votes. Other candidates, Farmullah Mansur, Sita Gurung, and Ranjit Karna, received 1,144, 1,112, and 562 votes, respectively, in a contest featuring six candidates.
This election marks Chaudhary’s transition from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) to a senior role in the Nepali Congress.
Chaudhary Joins Nepali Congress Leadership
Chaudhary began his political career in 2008 as a member of the first Constituent Assembly from CPN-UML’s proportional representation list.
He joined the Nepali Congress in 2017 and was elected to the Central Working Committee under the Madhesi quota at the party’s 14th General Convention, receiving 2,206 votes.
His recent win under the inclusive category reflects his political journey, benefiting from reserved representation within the party.
Chaudhary later aligned with Gagan Thapa’s faction following the Gen Z movement and participated in the special general convention held under his leadership.
Election Results for Other Vice-President Posts
Chandra Bhandari and Madhu Acharya were elected to the two open category vice-president positions in the Nepali Congress.
Bhandari led the open category poll with 3,735 votes, followed by Acharya with 2,342 votes. Prior to this, Pushpa Bhusal was elected unopposed as vice-president in the women’s category, and Bishwa Prakash Sharma was also elected unopposed as senior vice-president.
According to the amended Nepali Congress statute, the party will have five vice-presidents, including one senior vice-president, with positions distributed between open and reserved categories.
Political Rise Despite Recent Election Defeat
Chaudhary’s rise to senior leadership in the Nepali Congress comes despite losing the recent parliamentary election. He previously won a seat in the House of Representatives from West Nawalparasi Constituency No. 1 in 2022 as a Nepali Congress candidate but lost to Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate Bikram Khanal in the parliamentary elections on February 21.
His success in the party’s internal election highlights the differing outcomes between parliamentary and party leadership elections.
Chaudhary’s influence in the Nepali Congress has grown significantly as he has consistently been elected from West Nawalparasi, navigating the party’s conventions and changing political landscapes despite his recent defeat.
Business Career and Billionaire Status
At 70, Chaudhary is the chairman of Chaudhary Group and CG Corp Global, which operates in various sectors and global markets.
His business empire includes the popular Wai Wai instant noodle brand, enjoyed in multiple countries. Before entering politics, he was involved in various private sector businesses and organizations, including the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries.
According to Forbes’ billionaire list for 2025, Chaudhary has an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion, making him Nepal’s only dollar billionaire on the list.
His election as vice-president of Nepali Congress integrates his extensive experience in business and politics into the party’s senior leadership as it aims to adapt and build credibility in changing times.