Oli’s opponents want him to discuss India-toppling-govt statement in party

The standing committee meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

Kathmandu, June 30

Some leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Party have demanded that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli discuss his recent statement that India was trying to topple his government in the ongoing standing committee meeting of the party.

As soon as the meeting began this morning, the party’s chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said Oli’s statement was serious, hence the issue should be discussed in detail. Following him, Jhala Nath Khanal and Bamdev Gautam also demanded that Oli clarify the statement in front of the meeting, according to a standing committee member.

Oli was already in minority in the standing committee, and his recent statement has made his position more difficult as it was not a responsible remark, analysts say. Many believe Oli was already fearing challenges from Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal in the party, and he just wanted to solicit their support by showing external threats.