CPN-UML has directed Paudel to withdraw the nomination or face "serious consequences." Paudel nominated Keshab Kumar Bista as the member secretary of NSC, the apex sports body of the country, on Thursday for a four-year term. The position of member secretary fell vacant after Yubaraj Lama's term ended on June 12. The party establishment has termed Paudel's decision "one-sided."
"Hence, the party has asked Minister Paudel to correct his decision," said CPN-UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali, who is close to the establishment faction of the party. "The party on Sunday morning asked Paudel to rectify the decision. If he defies the party's order, action will be taken against Paudel," he said.
It is being speculated that Minister Paudel would be recalled from the government since the party establishment is not happy with his decision. Paudel is close to the faction led by Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Ghanashyam Bhusal, deputy general secretary of CPN-UML, confirmed that party chairman KP Sharma Oli has asked Minister Paudel to resign. "But Minister Paudel has said that he would resign only if party takes a formal decision in this regard," Bhusal said. "I don't think the party would take such a decision."
Bhusal further said that Oli is unlikely to propose Minister Paudel's resignation. "I don't think that the chairman would come up with such a proposal. He himself has never held any discussions within the party while nominating ministers and candidates for other significant positions," he summed up.
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