KATHMANDU: The talks between Chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda and Prime Minister KP Oli held in a bid to forge a consensus to settle the rift in the party ended inconclusively yet again on Tuesday.

The meeting failed to make headway as the dissenting factions stuck to their guns.

At the meeting held at Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, senior leader Jhalanath Khanal and Deputy Parliamentary Party leader Subas Nembang were also present.

“Oli was not ready to hold a meeting of the Standing Committee. We did not give up our stand to seek a solution from the Standing Committee meeting,” said Jhalanath Khanal after the meeting, “Thus, the talks failed.”

During the meeting, Chairman Prachanda and senior leader Khanal had objected to the appointment of Sushil Bhatta as the Chief Executive Officer at the Investment Board Nepal (IBN).

“Why did you appoint Sushil Bhatta despite knowing that he is a controversial figure?” Prachanda asked PM Oli, “You did wrong by not discussing in the party, not informing the party leadership and appointing the controversial person to an important body of the state.”

Then, senior leader Khanal too objected to the ‘unilateral’ decision.

Saying that the Prime Minister is making unilateral decisions in every matter, Khanal warned that if he worked without consulting the party, it would invite problems.

However, Prime Minister Oli defended the appointment saying that Bhatta was qualified, competent and became the CEO by passing the competitive selection process.

There was a heated exchange of words between the leaders after the remark by the Prime Minister.

Then, Oli replied that he would consult within the party on future appointments.

The Dahal camp has been alleging PM Oli for making unilateral decisions and not heeding to the party directives.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Monday evening had appointed Bhatta to the post.

Three names were recommended for the post of CEO before the Council of Ministers. The names of the National Reconstruction Authority’s CEO Sushil Gyawali and Dr. Saroj Koirala along with Bhatta were recommended by the committee formed for the selection of the CEO.