KATHMANDU: The Secretariat meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has decided to summon the meeting of the Standing Committee of the party at 11 am on May 7.

The meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday evening decided to that effect, according to NCP Spokesperson Narayankaji Shrestha.

Earlier, 20 Standing Committee members had written a letter to the Chairman duo demanding a meeting of the Standing Committee.

A Secretariat meeting will be held on May 6 earlier to the Standing Committee meeting to set agendas, according to Shrestha.

Gautam to be taken to HoR 

The meeting also decided to take Vice-Chairman Bamdev Gautam to House of Representatives (HoR) at an ‘appropriate’ time.

It should be noted that the Secretariat meeting had earlier decided to send Gautam to National Assembly but the decision was never implemented. The NA has a vacant post of one lawmaker than can be nominated by the President on the recommendation of the government.

Oli, Dahal take to self-criticism

Talking to reporters following the meeting, Shrestha said Prime Minister and Party Chair Oli and another Chair  Pushpa Kamal Dahal took to self-criticism over the shortcomings made by the government and the party and pledged to not indulge in any activity that could bring division in the party.

The meeting directed leaders and cadres not to weaken the unity and engage in factional activities.

The Secretariat stressed the need to run the party in a united manner, Spokesperson Shrestha said, adding that the decision was taken to strengthen the unity for resolving the crisis witnessed in the party.

Twists and turns as Oli gains majority in Secretariat  

In the Secretariat meeting held on Wednesday, NPC Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and leader Madhav Kumar Nepal faction had asked Prime Minister Oli to resign from the post of Prime Minister and party chair. In response, Oli had proposed Vice-Chairman Gautam as the prime minister and leader Nepal as the party chair with effect once the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

Dahal-Nepal faction had been mounting pressure on the PM to resign from the post citing the ‘defame’ and ‘inaction’ against corruption allegations.

Dahal-Nepal faction seemed confident of making Oli kneel down. However, PM Oli known for his craft of enticing people citing their weaknesses has changed the game through his personal meeting with the members of the Secretariat.

Now, Oli holds a majority in the Secretariat. PM Oli had met Home Minister and member of the Secretariat Ram Bahadur Thapa and NCP Vice-chairman Gautam on Saturday afternoon.

With Thapa and Gautam’s change in stance, Dahal-Nepal nexus has gone to a minority in the Secretariat. Oli is said to have used ‘reward’ and ‘punishment’ strategy in convincing Gautam and Thapa.