Controversy Surrounds 10th National Convention of Nepal National Federation of Disabled
March 12, Butwal – The 10th National Convention of Nepal National Federation of Disabled (NNFD) has become a subject of dispute. The faction led by Senior Vice President Ram Bahadur Karki and General Secretary Sugam Bhattarai has boycotted the election, alleging that it was conducted forcibly in violation of the federation’s bylaws and court directives. The dissatisfied group has also demanded an investigation into the distribution of member organizations, which they claim was carried out against the federation’s constitution. Despite their demands, the membership distribution and participation of representatives at the convention proceeded without proper hearing, an act they assert contradicts the federation’s regulations.
According to the order issued by the Patan High Court on March 10 regarding a petition related to the convention dispute, both parties were summoned for a discussion on April 16, 2027 BS. However, Senior Vice President Ram Bahadur Karki stated that conducting the convention and election before this court date, thereby potentially causing contempt of court, renders the process illegal. He further mentioned his intention to pursue legal remedies against what he described as police suppression during the unlawful election process.
Central member Savitra Ghimire reported that after the dissatisfied faction accused convention representatives of forgery and fraud, a physical altercation broke out between the two sides, with some representatives also being arrested by the police. Despite ongoing calls for over two years to investigate financial irregularities, exclusion, and autocratic leadership within the federation, the leadership has failed to address these concerns, according to Ghimire.
The election committee, led by Senior Advocate Shalikram Banjade, which was formed to conduct the election, resigned citing the controversies within the federation and the directives from Patan High Court, deeming it inappropriate to proceed under those circumstances. However, amid the ongoing conflict, the faction led by NNFD President Devidatta Acharya established a new election committee under Advocate Jokh Bahadur Khatri and conducted elections despite the boycott by the majority of representatives. General Secretary Sugam Bhattarai stated that this election held under contentious circumstances was illegal. President Acharya, however, claimed that the convention and the election were passed with majority approval.
