KATHMANDU, Aug 16: A secretariat meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party began at 11 am at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar.

The crucial secretariat meeting was postponed on Thursday afternoon citing Prime Minister Oli's health issues.

Although a section of media report suggests that Oli's health condition is worsening, and is preparing to fly to Singapore for his health check-up for the second time, the prime minister's political advisor Bishnu Rimal brushed aside media reports.

On his return from Singapore, Prime Minister Oli, on Monday, tweeted that he was fine.

The NCP's secretariat meeting was last held last week of July and has not taken place since as both party chairpersons were abroad.

The meeting was scheduled to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday but was deferred due to internal squabbling of the party.

The secretariat meeting is crucial to pick the leadership of the NCP's various departments including School Department and organizations.

It is learned that eight leaders namely Spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha, former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokhrel, standing committee members Ghanashyam Bhusal and Beduram Bhusal, and central committee member Ram Karki are in the race to become the chief of the party's School Department. NCP has altogether 32 departments, including the School Department and Policy Department.

Chairpersons Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal have already held one-on-one meetings several times to resolve the party's internal rift. However, the meetings have failed to make any headway so far.

 
• secretariat_meeting
 
• nepal_communist_party
 
• school_department
 
• internal_squabbling