Shrestha names Bastola as Acting Chairperson citing poor health

KATHMANDU: Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha has named Shiva Bastola as the Acting Chairperson of the party.

Shrestha delegated the responsibility to Bastola, a resident of Pokhara Metropolitan City-6, after a majority of Central Committee members gave her a 24-hour ultimatum to convene a Central Committee meeting.

A meeting of the party’s central committee members held on Friday had served a 24-hour ultimatum to Shrestha, warning that they would call a Central Committee meeting for Sunday and take necessary decisions if the meeting is not called within the given timeframe. The Central Committee members, as well as party patron Resham Chaudhary, has been urging Shrestha, who has been linked to a corruption scandal, to step down.

Instead of calling the meeting, Shrestha delegated party responsibility to Bastola, citing her poor health condition.

Shrestha also said she had been feeling unwell for the past few days and is currently unable to participate actively in party affairs. She stated that the appointment was made to ensure party operations continue smoothly in her absence.