KATHMANDU: A Standing Committee (SC) meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has begun at the party’s headquarters in Dhumbarahi on Sunday afternoon.

The meeting will discuss the political proposals by Chairman and Prime Minister KP Oli and Executive Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda at the Secretariat.

PM Oli has not attended the meeting. During the Secretariat meeting held on Saturday, PM Oli had expressed disagreement over holding SC meeting.

The meeting had witnessed a heated exchange of words among the leaders. Although the meeting was expected to find a ‘way out’ for resolving the dispute, a Secretariat member stated that the verbal assault continued at the meeting as well.

At a meeting held at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar, Chairman Oli had reiterated his old stance.

Stating that there was no need to hold a meeting, Oli had also indicated that he would not attend the meeting scheduled for today.

Chairman Oli had expressed his disagreement, arguing the meeting was convened sans agendas.

The Prime Minister had reiterated that he will not quit as Prime Minister and party Chairman any time soon. Oli had clarified that he will not resign as Chairman before General Convention and Prime Minister before a parliamentary election.

“There is no justification for the meeting if I am being removed from the post of party Chairman before the General Convention and PM before the general election,” said a Secretariat member quoting irate Prime Minister, “I will not give up either of these positions. ”

The NCP’s top leadership is still divided over the formal discussions on the written response presented by PM and Chairperson Oli at the meeting on November 28 and the written paper presented by another Chairperson Kamal Prachanda at the meeting on November 13.