Nepal’s ruling communist party seems headed for split; Chinese envoy steps up mediation

Nepal’s ruling communist party appeared to be heading for a split as Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and party executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ failed to iron out their differences despite holding over half-a-dozen meetings in a week, media reports said on Thursday. The political future of 68-year-old Oil is expected to be decided on Friday during a crucial Standing Committee meeting of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), amidst the growing involvement of Hou Yanqui, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal, to save the prime minister, known for his pro-China-leanings. On Wednesday, a crucial meeting of the NCP’s 45-member…