Kathmandu, March 15 -- Hem Raj Sharma has been unanimously selected as the president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) after contenders for the post reached a consensus during the association's 12th Global Conference and General Assembly in Kathmandu.

Rival contender Rabin Bajracharya announced his support for Sharma at a press conference on Sunday evening, saying he withdrew his candidacy to ensure the event remained a "Convention of Unity" and to avoid the financial burden an election would place on the association. Bajracharya agreed to serve as vice-president.

Rabin Sherchan, who had earlier withdrawn his claim for the presidency, will also serve as a vice-president.

TB Karki, election commissioner for the event, said t...