HETAUDA, JANUARY 9

Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel has attributed the complaint letter of leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the present crisis in the party.

“The inordinate jealousy and deep-seated rancour of Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Nepal led the party to this pretty pass,” Pokharel told a gathering of cadres of NCP (NCP) Oli-led group today.

Further, claiming Oli-led group as the legitimate party, the NCP (NCP) leader stressed that the polls declared by the government wouldn’t be deferred.

“The polls will take place against all odds on the scheduled dates, as the government has already made preliminary plans for the elections by holding meetings with all four security agencies,” said the DPM, adding there was a possibility that the party would be united again if Dahal withdrew the letter and was willing to accept elections.

“In fact, those protesting against elections, meant for a fresh mandate, fear to face the people,” the ruling party leader said, calling on other parties as well to start their preparations for the upcoming elections.

Regarding which of the two factions would be recognised as legitimate, Pokharel argued that the Oli-led faction would be unquestionably legitimate and retain the voting symbol given the fact that Oli was still the elected chair of the party.

Bagmati Province Chief Minister Dormani Poudel also spoke on the occasion today and accused the rival faction of being anti-development and staging a cheap drama of street demonstration and no-confidence motion against the government at the province. Meanwhile, the Oli-led group in Makawanpur has reshuffled the party district committee.

Today’s gathering took action against the incumbent chair Munu Sigdel and secretary Prem Bahadur Pulami and replaced Sigdel with Ekalal Shrestha.