KATHMANDU: At the time when the intra-party rifts have pushed the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on a brink of a split, Standing Committee members loyal to Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda have pressed the latter to keep the unity intact at any cost.
Prachanda called his confidants at his residence in Khumaltar on Monday, briefed them of talks with Chairman KP Oli and discussed the future strategy to be taken.
Informing them that an understanding has not been reached as being rumored, Prachanda said that a final agreement should be reached with Chairman Oli and last-ditch effort is being made.
Quoting Prachanda, a leader said, “Consensus has not been reached yet. Understanding should be done with Oli. If the party does not have to split, that is what should be done. Reaching a deal with others makes no sense.”
Prachanda informed the Standing Committee members that no agreement had been reached on holding an early General Convention despite discussions with the Prime Minister.
The Standing Committee members belonging to the erstwhile Maoist attend the meeting.
However, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa and Industry Minister Lekh Raj Bhatta abstained from today’s meeting.
According to a party source, Chairman Prachanda called the meeting of the former Maoist leaders to make sure that they are united on the party agenda.
It should be added that while former CPN-UML leaders, including Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, have stood together with Prachanda, several former Maoist leaders have been in the camp of Prime Minister Oli.
On Sunday, Prachanda and Oli held nearly a three-hour-long discussion at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar.
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