Nepal Film Artists Association Election: Two Panels Vie for Leadership

Kathmandu. Nowadays, social media is flooded with posts announcing candidacies of artists. This hustle is not due to any general election nearing in the country, but rather preparation for the 20th General Convention of the Nepal Film Artists Association. The convention, scheduled for the upcoming Jestha 3, will elect the new leadership of the association. From on-screen heroes, heroines, supporting actors to villains, candidates have entered the electoral field. Looking at the list of candidates, as in the past, it seems associations are run by those with leisure time. Among the candidates, there are more older artists and those who have appeared less on screen recently, rather than the currently very busy and popular faces in the film industry. This convention is taking place amidst significant ups and downs. The convention, previously scheduled for Chaitra 28, was postponed due to a membership dispute. Internal conflict had intensified within the association after some artists expressed dissatisfaction over alleged rigging in the distribution of new memberships and renewals. However, according to current president Mohan Niraula, all these disputes have now been resolved. 'On the previous date, we could not submit the list to the election committee on time due to the membership dispute,' said President Niraula, 'Now, all problems have been resolved and the list has been submitted. The convention will now take place on time.' Niraula stated that preparations for the convention are also complete. In this election, 536 artists will vote, including 325 life members and 211 ordinary members. Two Panels, No Political Parties In past conventions, artists were seen contesting elections clearly forming panels of political parties, but this time the picture appears somewhat different and interesting. This time, there are mainly two panels in the electoral field, in which artists with various political affiliations have come together in the same team. The main competition for leadership appears to be between actor Sabin Shrestha and artist Uttam KC. Sabin Shrestha is the current general secretary, while Uttam KC was a candidate for general secretary in the previous convention; for both, this is their first journey for the post of president.

Presidential candidates KC and Shrestha are competing for the Artists Association with their respective agendas. Some of the agendas they have raised are similar, while others are different but attractive.