Intra-party disputes can be resolved through dialogue, suggests Nepal PM

Kathmandu: Under mounting pressure to resign, Nepal’s beleaguered Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has downplayed the intra-party rift and said such disputes are “regular phenomena” that can be resolved through dialogue, as a crucial meeting of the ruling party was postponed by a week to give more time to the warring factions to reach a power-sharing deal.
Prime Minister Oli also vowed to protect Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, amidst a border row with India.
Top NCP leaders, including former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, have demanded Prime Minister Oli’s resignation, saying his recent anti-India remarks were “neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate.”
But in his prime-time address, Oli tried to downplay the intra-party rift and growing demand for his resignation.
“It is natural for the people to wonder why parties are indulging in dispute while the country is beset by a pandemic and natural disasters,” said Oli.
“Such disputes are regular phenomena that can be resolved through discussion and dialogue,” he added.
“I will assure all that I will make every effort to consolidate national unity, protect democratic republic and uplift national pride.”
Amidst a border row with India, the prime minister said, “I will also also commit myself to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The differences between the two factions of the NCP, one led by Oli and the other led by party’s executive chairman ‘Prachanda’ on the issue of power-sharing, intensified after the prime minister unilaterally decided to prorogue the budget session of Parliament.
The political future of Oli is now expected to be decided on July 17 during the Standing Committee meeting, amidst the growing involvement of Chinese ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqui to save his chair.
The Prachanda faction, backed by senior leaders and former prime ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, has been demanding Oli’s resignation. (PTI)