Butwal.
Rim Bahadur Shrestha, vice-president of the association, accused the establishment party of inviting the majority members to participate in the convention contrary to the association's constitution. He argues that the Corona infection has put industrialists in an extreme crisis and that it is wrong to convene a convention in a hurry, ignoring the government's ban. He alleged that the convention was convened hastily out of vested interest even though the members should have been informed about the convention before the convention and called for renewal at least a month in advance.
The establishment party had convened a meeting on June 26 and convened a convention on Saturday. According to Rishi Ram Pandey, vice-president of the association, the decision was taken without listening to the views of the dissidents. He lamented that the Udyog Vanijya Sangha should be a common and umbrella organization of all industrialists, trying to deprive most of them. The dissidents allege that it was impractical and unconstitutional to try to convene in a hurry and deprive the majority of members in the face of the Corona epidemic and the ban. Association treasurer Tika Bahadur Shahi, working committee members Cham Bahadur Chhetri, Bishnu Prasad Pandey, Kamal Aryal, Chamkala Bamrel Aryal, and advisor Khushiram Chaudhary have requested to postpone the convention and include all the members.
Association president Raj Bahadur Chhetri said that the convention would not be stopped under any circumstances. He clarified that the process of general assembly and convention will not be stopped as the election committee formed under the convener of Lal Bahadur Pangeni has moved ahead with its work. Reacting to the fact that most of the members of the union were deprived, he said that he would not be able to participate in the convention due to untimely renewal. After the convention, he will be able to join the association as a new member by paying a fee. Stating that more than 500 members deprived by the association have not paid the renewal fee for the past three years, he mentioned that they will not be able to participate in the convention as per the constitution. He said that the election committee has published the list of only 213 members who can participate in the convention.
Dissatisfied parties have protested against the decision of the association's president Chhetri, senior vice president Prem Khadka, general secretary Deepak Adhikari and other office bearers to hold the general assembly and convention unilaterally. Protesting, they have petitioned the District Administration Office, Rupendehi to stop it immediately. Chairman of the association Raj Bahadur Chhetri said that the administration office has requested to take action keeping health security in mind.
