Kathmandu — Resham Chaudhary, patron of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) and convicted in the Tikapur incident, has formally ended his association with the party. In a live address on social media, he declared that he will start a new political campaign.
From Party’s Creation to Leadership Rift
Chaudhary established NUP in December 2021 while serving a life sentence. He took on the role of patron and appointed his wife, Ranjita Shrestha, as chairperson. The party gradually expanded its presence at federal, provincial, and local levels, but growing disagreements between the two led to widening rifts.
In December 2023, Chaudhary announced himself as party chair during NUP’s first general convention, a move the Election Commission refused to recognize. Then in July 2025, he called a national gathering that replaced his wife with his father, Lalbir Chaudhary, as chairperson. The Commission dismissed that change as well, ruling that only the chair had the authority to convene such a meeting.
Exit from NUP and a New Beginning
With disputes unresolved, Chaudhary declared he was leaving the party. “From today, I am no longer with NUP. I will begin a separate campaign,” he said. He added that he believes those who share the spirit of his struggle will join him in this new journey.
NUP currently holds four seats in the federal parliament and has representation in several provincial assemblies. But ongoing leadership disputes have cast doubt on its future. Political observers are now watching to see how Chaudhary shapes his next move.
