The government has informed the donor country, the USA, that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC Compact) was now on hold. With the expiry of deadline to endorse the compact by the parliament two days back, the Finance Ministry wrote a missive to the US in this regard.

The delay in the endorsement of the MCC compact by the parliament was the effect of intra-party wrangling in the ruling Nepal Communist Party.

Now, with the pending of huge assistance, Nepal is likely to witness negative impacts on its development projects.
Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said the ongoing budget session of the federal parliament was prorogued due to COVID-19. So the US was informed that the MCC compact aimed at development of energy and transport sectors could not be endorsed by the parliament at present. He however said government was for the implementation of MCC compact.

Also the Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson, Minister Khatiwada said, “It can be discussed that some points in the MCC compact could have been presented differently. But, the disputes still persisting over some points of the compact affect trust on and perspective towards Nepal government.” He suggested that some of the issues could be sorted out through letters of exchange.

Talking to the National News Agency (RSS), Minister Khatiwada further said the endorsement of the MCC pact was delayed also because of the lack of preparatory works for its implementation owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the budget had incorporated some activities for the implementation of the compact, the difference within the ruling party halted it, pointing out the need of approval first by the parliament for undertaking the activities.

Earlier, the standing committee of the NCP had witnessed severe difference over the MCC pact resulting to the formation of a team to study its broader impact. The study team comprised senior leader Jhalanath Khanal, leader Bhim Bahadur Rawal and Foreign Ministry Pradeep Kumar Gyawali. The team later submitted the report to the party leadership, urging for some amendment before its passage by the parliament.

The MCC compact consist of Rs 51 billion assistance by the US government to Nepal for energy and transportation sectors.RSS

KATHMANDU, June 25 : Lawmakers at the National Assembly have shown severe concern over the manhandling of dalit rights defenders by police persons at Prime Minister’s residence, Baluwatar.

In the zero hour of the NA meeting, Nepali Congress lawmaker Prakash Panth demanded stern action against those involved in Soti carnage. He also sought response by the Home Minister on police intimidation on peaceful protest of Dalit rights defenders at Baluwatar.

Similarly, ruling Nepal Communist Party lawmakers Dil Kumari Rawal, Dulasa Kumari Dahal and Maya Prasad Sharma spoke on the contemporary issues including the need to control violence and corruption occurred in different parts of the country.RSS

BAM DEV GAUTAM PROPOSED AS VICE-CHAIR

KATHMANDU, Aug 16: The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has concluded its secretariat meeting on Friday.

As decisions regarding key portfolios were not conclusive due to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s absence along with Chairman Dahal, today’s meeting, held at party central headquarters, was crucial in finalizing names and strengthening the party to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

The much-awaited and debated School of Training Department will now be headed by current Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel who is also serving as the Minister of Defense. This department was much sought after by the Dahal faction.

Likewise, former Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has been given the Publicity Department.

Similarly Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has been given the Foreign Affairs Department while Former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal will head the Planning and Education Department.

Also, Former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey will head the Finance Department.

The party secretariat has also proposed former Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam as the vice-chair. His name will be sent to the standing committee for approval, according to party sources.

The party has decided to add a vice-chair in a bid for equitable distribution of key portfolios. The NCP, during the unification between former CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN-UML a year and a half ago, had only created two chairs and a general secretary. The position of general secretary is currently occupied by Bishnu Paudel.

The decisions come in order to keep the party intact while catering to all the stakeholders positively along with even distribution of work.

According to party spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha, of the total 33 positions, the former CPN-UML was handed over the responsibility of 19 departments while remaining 14 positions were given to former Maoist Center faction.

The only department left to be finalized is the Department for Public Organization. The meeting has also concluded to add a deputy in-charge for all seven states.

Previously, the party had decided only to keep one person-in-charge for the states.

The meeting was attended by PM Oli, this meeting also had former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Jhalanath Khanal.

KATHMANDU, Aug 2: Ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) senior leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the remaining tasks of the party unification will be completed by Mid August.

In a press meet organized in the capital on Friday, leader Nepal shared that they were working out to conclude the tasks as soon as possible as all leaders and cadres were serious in this matter.

He also opined for maintaining discipline in the party. RSS

KATHMANDU, July 23: Nepal Communist Party (NCP) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the process of party unification has almost reached to the conclusion.

Addressing a program organized by the Pushpalal Memorial Foundation to commemorate the ’41st Pushpalal Memorial Day’ in the capital on Tuesday, Dahal claimed that the party unification process will be completed by August 17.

“Only one or two formalities are remaining. We will conclude the entire party unification process within some days. Our aim is to conclude the remaining works of the party unification as of August 17. We will also convene the meetings of the party’s standing committee and the central committee,” said Dahal.

He added that they will reach the people with the central committee of the party formulating a nationwide program.

The NCP Chair opined that they have completed the people’s revolution in a unique fashion by achieving the party unification which was the late Pushpalal’s dream.

Pushpalal Shrestha is the founding leader of the NCP. He recalled that the late leader Pushpalal had, through a party convention held in Gorakhpur of India in 2025 BS, had raised the issue of unification of the communist parties in Nepal.

Prachanda went on to say that they were the bearers of the late Pushpalal’s ideology and that the journey of socialism would also be completed as per the dreams of the NCP founding leader.

“It was Pushpalal who envisaged reunification of the divided parties and prepare for a movement, to take forward the strategy of people’s revolution through long term armed struggle and to use the then Panchayat system for fulfilling the party’s strategy. So, we all are Pushpalal’s children and heirs,” Chair Prachanda said.

He also underscored the need for strengthening the party on the basis of ideology and polity, organizational values and the process and procedures to fulfill the aspiration of socialism and prosperous Nepal and happy Nepali.

Dahal said the way forward for the party is to correct the shortcomings within the party and commit to the ideals of the late Pushpalal.

Likewise, NCP senior leader and Foundation chair Madhav Kumar Nepal said that the dream of Pushpalal would be materialized only if the NCP is established by making it popular.

He added that party’s center, states, district and local levels should carry out activities and move ahead as per the party’s direction and those doing good work in the party should also be honored.

Leader Nepal added that politburo should be formed soon and responsibility of would be departmental and people’s class organization would be given.

The former Prime Minister shared that Pushpalal museum and park would be established at Bhangeri of Ramechhap, the birthplace of Pushpalal.

Saying the country could get prosperity only if only heading to the path shown by Pushpalal, another senior leader Jhalanath Khanal said that the incumbent communist government should bring socialism in the country.

On the occasion, Chair Dahal, senior leaders– Nepal and Khanal, NCP Secretariat member Bamdev Gautam, General Secretary Bishnu Prasad Poudel, and other leaders garlanded the statue at Pushpalal Memorial Park, Champadevi, Kritipur. Born on Asar 15, 1981 BS at Bhangeri of Ramechhap, Pushpalal died on Saun 7, 2035 BS while undergoing treatment at Govinda Ballabh Pant Hospital, India.

Pushpalal with support of friends had established the Nepal Communist Party on Baishakh 10, 2006 BS. RSS

KATHMANDU, July 4: Gangster-turned politician Rajiv Gurung aka Deepak Manange has joined the ruling Nepal Communist Party on Thursday.

Chief Minister of Gandaki Province welcomed Gurung, a province assembly member of Gandaki Province, to the party amid a function today morning. CM Gurung also handed over the party’s statute to Gurung.

On January 16 last year, the Supreme Court, upholding Patan Appellate Court’s verdict of 2013, had sentenced Gurung with five years in prison on the charge of attempted murder. He was arrested from Swyambhu on April 20, 2018 for his involvement in chopping the right hand of another gangster Milan Chakre in 2005. A case of attempted murder was file against him at the Kathmandu District Court.

He was then released from Dillibazar prison on bail in December following the order of Supreme Court.

The notorious gangster, who was elected to provincial assembly in Province 4 from Manang (B) as an independent candidate, had taken the oath of office and secrecy as province assembly member in January.

On the occasion, Pushpa Karki, a leader of the outlawed Chand-led Comunist Party of Nepal, also joined the NCP.

As Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli is completing his two-and-half-year term at the office, a debate on whether he will hand over the premiership to another co-chair of the ruling Nepal Communist Party Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ for the rest of the tenure of the five-year government has emerged. The fresh debate surfaced following the Dahal’s interview in which he said he is confidence PM Oli will respect the agreement and optimistic about getting the premiership or the party leadership once the Oli completes two-and-half-year at the office and subsequent leakage of the Oli-Dahal secret agreement.

Senior leader of Nepali Communist Party Jhala Nath Khanal, in a television talk show Janata Janna Chahanchan with Reporters’ Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala, argued that both the chairs of the ruling party should respect and implement the agreements reached during the unification. Khanal also said that the party unification has completed at foundation level and the party will appoint incharges and vice-incharges at district committees next. Excerpts:

Will the agreement to head the government in turn reached between PM Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal be implemented?

This is a stable government thus the party can decide make Oli prime minister for the full five-year term in consensus. Or, if the party wants, Dahal can become the prime minister for the rest of the term. It depends on understanding and consensus. The agreements reached while uniting the parties will be respected and implemented because I think, no leaders have the intention to breach the deal because these agreements have made the party more integrated.

Furthermore, various media have reported that the relation between Oli and Prachanda has soured but it is not true. Oli is prime minister now. The party has full support to Oli to make him a successful prime minister. When the time comes, the party will discuss and decide on who will be next prime minister.

About the leaked secret agreement, the party is yet to discuss this. Without discussing first, we cannot reach a conclusion. But I am confident, whatever the two parties agree, it will be implemented. The agreement reached between Oli and Prachanda will be implemented.

The most important thing is, we want stability in the country. The NCP is against the factors that risk stability. I am against it because people’s mandate is that the incumbent government work for the full term and expedite development work and take the country toward the path of development.

If the party decided to continue Oli for the full term, will Prachanda head the party?

The committee will decide on who gets what. The position of the chairperson is not somebody’s private decision and will. The committee will discuss and decide based on relevance, need and possibilities.

Will not it be better if Oli head the government and Prachanda heads the party?

First, we will conclude the unification process. After that, we will hold the general convention. If everything goes according to plan, the general convention will be held next year. Whatever the general convention decides, the party will accept it.

Oli and Prachanda’s individual opinion and desire will not work. Leaders might have proposals. Oli might have one proposal. Prachanda might have another. Bam Dev Gautam might have one. The committee will discuss the proposals and make a decision.

What is blocking the settlement of the differences within the Nepal Communist Party?

The unification process is still underway. Though we planned to conclude the unification process within a year, it has yet to materialize. But, the party has unified at foundation level. Now, the party will decide the incharges and vice-incharges on all district-level committees. After that, the party will run smoothly.

Is the difference about whether or not to allocate to responsibilities to a single person?

Party organization and government are separate things. The environment that allows independent party leadership is a must. One person-one responsibility is beneficial for the long term. But we are holding a discussion on what to do right now.

Some leaders hold four to five posts but some do not have even one. How will the party allocate the responsibilities?

Such difference occurred while the parties were in the process of unification. But we are looking on these matters sensitively so that we could come to a better solution.

What about the formation of politburo?

We are still working on it. The politburo will be formed after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli returns from Europe visit.

What is your opinion on the budget for the fiscal year 2019/20?

The budget for the fiscal year 2019/20 is better than the previous year. This budget will play a notable role to move forward the development works.

What is your view on distributing 60 million rupees to lawmakers?

The allocation of 60 million to members of the lower house of the parliament (elected under the first-past-the-post system) has been wrongly described. The MPs has not received the budget. Their roles and responsibilities have been increased. This is not the budget they can spend at their will and haphazardly. MPs won’t have total control over the budget. The amount has been distributed for constituency development. The money will be spent on development works.

The recent vacancy announcement by Public Service Commission (PSC) drew wide criticisms that the government body breached the constitution and did not allocate quota for all clusters and that provincial PSCs should recruit staffers for provinces. What do you say?

The vacancy announcement should be inclusive and ensure reservation for all communities. It can be corrected.

KATHMANDU, April 19: Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader Thakur Gaire has said he is doubtful that the unification process of the party will conclude by April 22–the day of the formation of the original Communist Party of Nepal in 1949.

The ruling party has only three days to find consensus on the unity of lower level committees and wrap up the unification process. However, the party, which announced unification on May 17 last year, has not been able to resolve some core issues as the factions led by Madhav Kumar Nepal and Co-chair K P Sharma Oli are still at odds over the appointment of district-level leaders.

Nepal faction has insisted on appointing the leaders at districts on the basis of ‘seniority’ and ‘certain principles’ while Oli faction has said that ‘deserving candidates’ should be appointed to those posts.

“We are waiting for the merger process to end conclude. But there are still doubts the process will conclude before the deadline ends,” he told Reporters’ Club Nepal.

“Many April 22s have come and gone. I doubt the upcoming occasion will be the final one,” he added.

He also said that the possibilities of reaching consensus any time soon are thin.

“The leaders are far from agreement on the division of powers,” he furthered.

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Nepal Communist Party has decided to hoist the party flag at half-mast for three days at its offices across the country to mourn the departed soul of Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.

Minister Adhikari and his team comprising of six members, who were returning after a visit to Pathivara temple, were all killed when the chopper carrying them crashed at Dare Bhir in Taplijung district.

A secretariat meeting of the party took the decision in this regard, according to party Spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

According to Shrestha, the party has also decided to organize a condolence program at party headquarter in Dhumbarai on March 7.

KATHMANDU, Feb 22: The Nepal Communist Party Friday dissolved the unification task force formed to finalize the unification process at district and local committees.

A meeting of the party secretariat held at party headquarters, Dhumbarai took the decision not to renew the task force led by Ram Bahadur Thapa despite the panel asking for one more week to conclude the task. However co-chair and Prime Minister K P Sharma did not entertain the idea, and thus the panel was junked.

The delayed unification process has now been entrusted to the secretariat comprising of nine top leaders of the party.

The two former communist parties CPN-UML led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and former CPN (Maoist Center) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ announced merger on May 17 last year. However, the party has yet to finalize the merger process at lower committees due to differences over power sharing issues.

The ruling party had formed the nine-member task force on December 27, to finalize the unification of lower organizations. The task force was expected to submit the report by the second week of January but had only completed a fraction of the given task.

According to party Spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the secretariat will now work on the unity process and submit the report to the standing committee.