KATHMANDU: The Secretariat meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has been postponed for 3 pm today.

Posting a twitter message, Prime Minister’s Press Advisor Surya Thapa informed the Secretariat meeting scheduled for 11 am has been rescheduled for 3 pm.

पार्टी सचिवालयकाे बैठक बिहान ११:०० बजे पूर्व निर्धारित रहेकाेमा आज दिउँसाे ३:०० बजे हुने भएको छ ।

— Surya Thapa (@ThapajiSurya) September 3, 2020

The meeting will decide on the fate of party’s Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam  and Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada. Gautam has been lobbying hard to become a member of the National Assembly.

A Secretariat meeting held on February 26 had recommended Gautam as a member to the National Assembly.  However, this decision has not yet been implemented.

Meanwhile, incumbent Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada’s term is expiring on September 5.

One who is not a member of parliament can become a minister only for six months as per the existing legal provision. He has to be reappointed as NA lawmaker to continue as the minister.

According to Baluwatar sources, Prime Minister KP Oli is in a mood to give continuity to Khatiwada due to his portfolio-related background and experiences.

But, at the same time, if Bamdev Gautam is not nominated as the member of National Assembly, he would fall in minority in the party.

Prime Minister Oli, therefore, is in a Hamletian dilemma whether to pick Guatam or Khatiwada.

It is learnt that Gautam made his intention to become NA lawmaker public recently after sensing Prime Minister Oli was preparing to give continuity to Khatiwada.

Prime Minister Oli and NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal held talks on the agendas of the Secretariat meeting on Wednesday evening.

According to sources, Dahal is in favor of Gautam while Oli is in mood of giving continuity to Khatiwada.  Gautam had also met with Prime  Minister Oli following the meeting with Dahal.

Gautam has been demanding with Oli that he be nominated as a National Assembly member and be appointed as Finance Minister.

Even though Oli has been assuring Gautam that he would take him to the House of Representatives by fielding him as a candidate from Dolpa, Gautam has not accepted his proposal.

The taskforce will also submit the report in the Secretariat meeting today. This is another agenda to be discussed in the meeting today.