New Delhi: Nepal’s former Maoist leader and PM aspirant Prachanda continues to be adamant as he launched a fresh salvo against PM KP Sharma Oli undermining Communist unity in the Himalayan State notwithstanding desperate measures by China to safeguard the regime.
Prachanda launched a tirade against Oli for delaying the debate in the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), particularly in the Standing Committee –– the highest decision-making body of the party, Kathmandu-based political sources told ET.
Both Dahal and Oli have been sticking to their guns even as the Chinese envoy in Kathmandu is trying her best to unite the two camps. Political circles in Nepal are not confident if Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks on China-Nepal ties will be enough to safeguard Communist unity.
Addressing a public meeting recently, Prachanda stated that deliberations on several issues related to the party should not be halted in the name of party unity. Dahal’s remarks were aimed at PM Oli, who has been avoiding the Standing Committee meeting in recent weeks, one of the above mentioned sources informed.
The last time Oli unilaterally postponed the Standing Committee meeting, he incurred the wrath of the rival faction led by Prachanda and senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, who said that the PM had violated the party statute and established rules by unilaterally calling off the Standing Committee meeting on July 28.
Prachanda and Oli, who used to hold dialogues almost everyday before July 28, have not held any meeting since then, despite efforts by China.
NCP Standing Committee member Mani Thapa, who was once close to Prachanda, has switched sides. He told the local media that Oli had clearly stated that he would not quit any post just because the Standing Committee or Central Committee wanted him to, but if he had to quit the party post, then the next general convention would have to be held to elect a new leadership. (Economic Times)
