KATHMANDU: The Federal Parliament Secretariat has ruled out the possibility of recognizing both Prachanda-Nepal faction and the Prime Minister KP Oli-faction of the ruling Nepal Communist Party as different parties.

Speaking to reporters in Kathmandu, Spokesperson of the Secretariat Roj Nath Pandey clarified that despite providing facilities to both Chief Whips of NCP, the Secretariat does not recognize NCP as two parties; hence there will not be separate arrangements for their seats in the parliament.

“We have provided facilities to both Chief Whips; it’s natural to do so during transitions,” Pandey told reporters.

He  also added that unless the Election Commission (EC) gives any verdict, the Secretariat cannot authenticate any faction in NCP dispute.

After Prime Minister Oli dissolved the House of Representatives on December 20, the ruling NCP is divided in two factions — one led by PM Oli and another by former PM duo Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Each faction has been lobbying as the authentic NCP and has been urging the EC and Parliamentary Secretariat to recognize them so.