Kathmandu, August 5:

A standing committee meeting of the CPN-UML today decided to take action against its politburo member Pradeep Nepal for defying the party directives.

The meeting condemned Nepal for attending the National Sports Council (NSC) board meetings and representing the country as a minister despite tendering his resignation from the office. Minister for Education and Sports assumes the office as the chairman of the sports governing body in the country.

CPN-UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal had previously directed all the party members, who resigned from the government, not to take any responsibility as a minister.

Learning that Nepal was representing the country at the Beijing Olympics as a minister, general secretary Khanal had asked Nepal to follow the party directives, said a party source.

The party is preparing to seek a clarification on the matter as soon as Nepal returns from Beijing.