Nepal: Prachanda convenes NCP meet sans PM Oli as intra-party rift deepens

Standing Committee members close to Oli did not attend the unilateral meeting convened by Prachanda

Nepal's ruling communist party executive chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" on Tuesday unilaterally convened a meeting of the powerful Standing Committee at Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's official residence without his presence, further deepening the political crisis in the country.

The crucial meeting of the 45-member Standing Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to iron out the differences between Prime Minister Oli and the rival faction led by Prachanda was scheduled for 11 am. However, it was postponed for the 9th time.

Announcing the indefinite postponement of the meeting, Standing Committee member Ganesh Shah said the two leaders