KATHMANDU: A high-level meeting of Nepali Congress (NC) leaders is currently underway in Budhanilkantha, as dissatisfaction within the party over the working style of the KP Sharma Oli-led coalition government reaches a boiling point.
The closed-door meeting, held at the residence of party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, began earlier today and has continued for over two hours. Present at the gathering are party office bearers, former office holders, and ministers representing the Nepali Congress in the government.
According to sources, the primary agenda of the meeting is to address the increasing internal frustration over the coalition’s functioning since the formation of the government on July 15. Party leaders are expected to develop a unified stance on how to respond to the Oli government’s perceived inefficiencies and controversial moves.
The chorus of criticism within the NC has been steadily growing. Senior leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala, once a key advocate for a potential NC-UML merger, was among the first to raise concerns over the government’s pace and priorities. His initial dissatisfaction has now been echoed by several top leaders.
Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka has reportedly expressed displeasure with the coalition’s failure to move forward with urgency, while General Secretary Gagan Thapa has been particularly vocal in his criticism. Thapa recently made stinging remarks, alleging that middlemen have gained influence all the way to Prime Minister Oli’s bedroom, particularly in the context of the suspended appointment of the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.
Thapa further charged the government with acting against the public interest
Vice President Khadka, too, was absent from Wednesday’s mechanism meeting. Attendees included President Deuba, leader Arzu Rana Deuba, and Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak. Meanwhile, General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma has publicly aired his own dissatisfaction, releasing a seven-point document outlining his concerns over the government’s actions and priorities.
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