KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has summoned the Vice President and General Secretaries for a discussion regarding the internal party conflict that has emerged during the selection of the Koshi Chief Minister.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at his residence in Dhumbarahi at 4 o’clock.

In the wake of the ruling coalition’s decision to support the CPN-Maoist Center candidate for the position of Province Chief Minister, a faction led by Dr. Shekhar Koirala within the party revolted in the Koshi province.

Lawmaker Kedar Karki, who has close ties to leader Koirala, assumed the role of Chief Minister with the support of the CPN-UML. The NC has formed an alliance with the Maoist Center, CPN-Unified Socialist Party, and other fringe parties to thwart the UML from forming a coalition at the federal level. However, after Karki aligned with the UML, breaking away from the coalition formed at the federal level and in other provinces, an internal conflict within the NC has surfaced.

Eight NC members rebelled against the alliance, which was meant to mirror the one at the federal level. Leader Koirala has been vocal in his opposition, asserting that party officials are inclined to hand over the Chief Ministership to the Maoists.

Following Karki’s appointment as Chief Minister, Uddhav Thapa resigned as the leader of the parliamentary party, and Himal Karki stepped down as the deputy leader. Vice President Dhanraj Gurung will be absent in today’s meeting, as he is currently in Indonesia and is expected to return on October 20.