Nepal’s ruling Communist Party executive chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal , alias Prachanda, on Tuesday convened a meeting of the Standing Committee at Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s official residence without his presence, further deepening the political crisis in the country.

The crucial meeting of the 45-member Standing Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to iron out the differences between Prime Minister Oli and the rival faction led by Prachanda was scheduled for 11 am. However, it was postponed for the 9th time.

Announcing the indefinite postponement of the meeting, Standing Committee member Ganesh Shah said the two leaders need more time for informal consultations to sort out their differences.

The Prime Minister’s press adviser, Surya Thapa, also said in a Facebook post that the meeting was postponed as the two leaders need more time for consultations. The date of the next meeting will be decided after the two leaders hold consultations, he said.

However, a senior party leader said Oli postponed the meeting without consulting Prachanda. The Prachanda-led group had already reached the Prime Minister’s official residence at Baluwatar at around 11 am and was waiting for Oli’s signal to start the meeting.

Standing Committee members close to Oli did not attend the unilateral meeting convened by Prachanda.

However, 29 Standing Committee members and two invitees attended the meeting, which started at around 3pm and lasted for one hour, they said. Party spokesperson Narayankaji Shrestha said that the two leaders did not agree to postpone the meeting, which was scheduled for 11 am. However, it started four hours later.