While leaders close to the Deuba faction have been preparing to resign en masse from various departments of the party, student leaders from the faction have announced a parallel convention of Nepal Students´ Union (NSU). [break]They have accused NSU President Ranjeet Karn of announcing the general convention “unilaterally” without addressing their demands.
The dissident leaders of NSU close to Deuba have announced parallel general convention from December 31 to January 2, 2013 in Birgunj, marking the National Reconciliation Day. “We have been forced to take this decision as the establishment faction announced NSU general convention without addressing our demands,” said Rishikesh Jung Shah, a dissident central member of NSU.
Earlier on Thursday, an NSU central committee meeting chaired by President Karna had decided to hold a three-day national convention from January 9 to 11, 2013. The dissident leaders alleged that Karn made the announcement even as even as 48 members from their faction boycotted the event.
Addressing a press meet in the capital on Saturday, dissident NSU leaders expressed their dissatisfaction saying President Karna was attempting to run the organization in an “arbitrarily” manner. They also accused Karn of breaching the directive issued by Nabindra Raj Joshi, who heads the party´s students´ department.
Among other things, they have demanded that NSU form election and disciplinary committees inclusive of members from both the sides and appoint central representatives for general convention through consensus, scrapping the unilateral decision taken in the past.
Joshi had agreed to hold a meeting to resolve differences after returning to Kathmandu from the orientation program being organized in Pokhara. “However, NSU president has taken the decision unilaterally,” said Joshi.
Taking to Republica over phone from Pokhara, Joshi said he would settle the differences in NSU. "The convention will be held on the stipulated date after addressing the demands of the dissenting leaders."
Altogether 28 central members from the Deuba faction had tendered their resignation after President Koirala formed a 101-member NSU ad hoc committee. The difference was settled after additional 20 members from the Deuba faction were inducted into the committee.
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