KATHMANDU: The Secretariat meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has been postponed till December 5.
The meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar was postponed around 20 minutes after it got underway.
Prime Minister KP Oli and Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, however, abstained from the meeting.
Earlier, five members of the Secretariat — NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, senior leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, Vice President Bam Dev Gautam, and party Spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha — had met and discussed issues at the residence of NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in Khumaltar.
In Tuesday’s meeting, Prime Minister Oli, who is also the chairman of the NCP, demanded postponement of the Secretariat meeting for 10 days.
Oli had bought the time to narrow down differences through informal meetings and dialogues before holding the meeting.
Likewise, the meeting of the Standing Committee scheduled for tomorrow has also been postponed. The meeting will be held on December 6.
Secretariat members, however, took strong exception to Oli’s demand arguing that there is no reason to stall the meeting. Oli then had said he would not be present in Wednesday’s meeting, according to a Secretariat member.
However, Oli agreed to take part in the meeting following consultations with the leaders close to him, according to NCP sources.
Oli and Executive Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda got involved in heated discussions during a Secretariat meeting held yesterday.
At the beginning of the meeting, Oli said that the discussion could not take place arguing that the proposal by Prachanda was not a political report, but accusations against him.
Prachanda responded by saying that the Prime Minister doesn’t have the right to stop discussions on his political dossier. After that, Oli tried to rule by saying to stay within the limits and dignity.
At a meeting held at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday, Chairmen Oli and Prachanda shared their views and other members briefly shared their views, said Spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha.
Secretariat members are yet to complete their views on the proposals, the meeting would continue on Wednesday, Shrestha said.
In recent months, the ruling NCP has witnessed an intra-party dispute over the appointment of ambassadors, a Cabinet reshuffle, a dispute in Karnali Province, a vendetta among party cadres in Tarai districts, RAW Chief’s meeting with PM Oli.
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