KATHMANDU: The ruling CPN-UML is heading towards the verge of split after the Nepal-Khanal faction formed a parallel structure on Saturday.

The disgruntled faction yesterday formed a parallel structure to counter party Chairman’s move after the latter nominated 23 former leaders of the CPN (Maoist Center) to the Central Committee of the CPN-UML.

An informal central committee (CC) meeting of the faction held at a Shankhamul-based café took a decision to this effect.

Similarly, the disgruntled faction of the CPN-UML party led by senior leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal has called a meeting of national cadres on March 17 and 18.

An informal meeting of the faction’s central members close to senior leaders Khanal and Nepal held yesterday decided to convene a meeting of national cadres.

The dissident faction has been protesting UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Oli’s what it said “arbitrary decisions” in the party.

The Nepal-Khanal faction has been saying that PM Oli’s moves are “unacceptable”.

According to a leader of the faction, all central committee members, lawmakers, state committee office bearers, district committee office bearers, municipality chiefs, deputy chiefs, among others were invited to the meeting.

“The parallel structure has been formed to counter party Chairman KP Oli’s decision to strip the leaders of Nepal-Khanal faction of their responsibilities,” said a UML leader close to the dissident faction.

According to the decision, leader Bhim Acharya has been appointed as the party coordinator in Pradesh 1, Ghanashyam Bhusal in Pradesh 2, Astalaxmi Shakya in Pradesh 3, Surendra Pandey in Pradesh 4, Yubraj Gyawali in Pradesh 5 and 6 and Bhim Rawal in Pradesh 7.