PM Oli has already split the party: Gajurel

KATHMANDU, April 22: Ruling Nepal Communist Party standing committee member Haribol Gajurel has argued that Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has already split the party introducing the ordinance related to the Political Parties.

The prime minister on Monday suddenly brought two ordinances related to Political Parties and Constitutional Council despite objection from the party. The approval from President Bidya Devi Bhandari had arrived in the middle of the Secretariat meeting which was urging the prime minister to drop the ordinances.

The ordinance related to Political Parties seek an amendment to the Political Parties Act which allows a split vote to require only 40 percent support from the party central committee or the parliamentary party. The existing act require 40 percent support from both the central committee and parliamentary party.

“Although the party has not formally split, the ordinance is intended only to split the party,” said Gajurel.

“Moreover, this was not the right time to bring the ordinances when the nation is fighting against the coronavirus, said Gajurel.

“The ordinance was not discussed in the party. It should be withdrawn.”

Analysts have described the prime minister’s move as the preparation for the worst as Oli finds himself at edge after Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal and Bam Dev Gautam switched their alliance to another chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.