The intra-party dispute within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is getting complicated with each passing day. The NCP stalwarts are embroiled in their bitter infighting as the country is witnessing the surge of anti-republican forces on the streets. The anti-systemic elements are taking advantage of the poor performance of the governments formed since the abolition of monarchy in 2008. What is more worrying is the fact that the present government has failed to receive support from the party whole-heartedly as it has itself turned into a divided house. The people had handed a thumping victory to the NCP for its pledge of stability, prosperity and nationalism in the 2017 elections but the bickering has not only threatened the stability but also periled the landmark political achievements enshrined in the constitution promulgated in 2015.

In the face of COVID-19 pandemic and looming economic recession, the ruling NCP needs to demonstrate equanimity and flexibility to resolve their dispute in a way that bolsters the democratic republic and lifts the spirit of citizens at this difficult juncture. The spirit of consensus, collaboration and solidarity should guide the leaders in keeping their unity intact. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister and party chairman KP Sharma Oli has called for sorting out the internal feud on the basis of consensus. In his letter sent to the meeting of Standing Committee (SC) on December 7, he urged its members to use their wisdom and not resort to the majoritarian method to settle the contested matters. PM Oli’s argument holds water as he and co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda had earlier agreed to deal with every problem confronted by the party on the basis of consensus until it concludes the unity convention scheduled for April next year. The current party’s structures from secretariat to the ward committees were created as temporary arrangements to enhance the unification process and facilitate the unity convention.

Oli has even announced that he would not vie for the post of party chairman and premiership next time. This commitment should be taken as a cue to minimise distrust and differences engulfing the entire party. Another Standing Committee meeting, slated for December 13, is set to discuss the political documents of both chairs - Oli and Prachanda. All the SC members will pore over and form their opinion on both the documents during the interval.  However, both the leaders crossed swords over an array of issues roiling the party as well as the government. Oli has termed that Prachanda’s 39-page proposal is full of lies and manipulation and informed that he would not attend the SC meeting until the latter withdrew his document.

In his proposal, Prachanda has levelled a bundle of accusations against Oli which the latter has refuted. Contrary to Oli’s proposition, Prachanda and other senior leaders are for sorting out the matters through the party committees’ decisions. It is reported that the factional group, led by Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal, holds majority in all party committees so they have batted for the majoritarian method to solve the lingering crisis. However, the NCP leadership must not forget huge responsibility the people have put on their shoulders through the elections. And deepening bickering only debilitates their ability to deliver on their poll promises.