Which faction will receive sun as election symbol if NCP splits?

KATHMANDU: The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has reached a critical juncture, of late.

Political pundits have started making mathematical calculations on which faction commands majority when it splits.

The tussle between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli group and Dahal-Nepal faction has taken a new height.

Leaders of both the factions are now calculating whether they will have a majority in the parliamentary party and central committee.

At least 40 percent of votes are mandatory in the parliamentary party and central committee to split a party as per the existing legal provision.

Leaders of Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions are now busy making calculations whether they have this majority or not as the faction that commands majority will receive party’s name, flag, and election symbol.

Both the factions want to retain NCP as party’s name and sun as the election symbol.

Rift between the two had deepened after PM Oli reshuffled the cabinet last month without giving a hint to party Executive Chairman Prachanda and other senior leaders.

Moreover, the disgruntled faction was also miffed at PM Oli’s decision in the appointment of the ambassadors.

Likewise, PM Oli and Prachanda were at odds after some NCP lawmakers of Karnali Province decided to move a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Mahendra Shahi last month something which the Dahal faction has alleged PM Oli for inciting the episode.

Prime Minister Oli and Chairman Dahal had on May 17, 2018, signed a five-point deal while agreeing on the party unification between the erstwhile CPN-UML and the then CPN-Maoist (Center).

The two leaders had then agreed to lead the government for an equal period.

However, later Dahal and Oli had in November last year agreed to work on the basis of division of responsibility, which means that while Dahal would work as an Executive Chairman of the party, PM Oli would lead the government.