KATHMANDU: The intra-party dispute of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), which is a key player in the new power-sharing, has reached a new high, of late.
The JSP leaders have been divided over whether to support the incumbent government led by KP Sharma Oli or the opposition parties. JSP’s Central Council Chairman Mahantha Thakur and leader Rajendra Mahato have intensified meetings with Prime Minister Oli.
JSP Chairman Thakur had met with Prime Minister Oli in Baluwatar on Tuesday.
In the meeting, Oli had assured Thakur that he is ready to address the demands raised by JSP and urged the latter to come up with the formal decision.
It is learned that even if the JSP lends support to the Oli-led government, it would not participate in the government, immediately.
Sources have confirmed that the government has agreed to withdraw over 200 cases filed against JSP cadres and leaders including the release of lawmaker Resham Chaudhary, amendment to the Constitution, make public Lal Commission among others.
On the other hand, the JSP is heading towards the verge of split at a time when the Thakur-Mahato faction is making the final deal with the government.
The other faction led by JSP Chairman Upendra Yadav and Federal Council Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai has strongly stood against Prime Minister Oli and lobbying with the other opposition parties for the formation of a new government.
The intra-party feud further intensified after four JSP provincial lawmakers including three, who signed against Chief Minister Shankar Pokharel of Lumbini Pradesh, were appointed as the ministers.
The Yadav-Bhattarai faction has warned of actions against lawmakers Santosh Pandey, Bijaya Bahadur Yadav, Suman Sharma Rayamajhi and Kalpana Pandey who have now become ministers in the Pokharel-led provincial government.
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