Days after losing the government,  the CPN-UML, the party headed by Nepal’s former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, is now preparing to take on the rebel MPs responsible for the fall of the government. 

 Oli’s party has issued letters to 22 party lawmakers belonging to the rebel faction, headed by Madhav Kumar Nepal,  who had voted in favor of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba during the trust vote on Sunday. In the letter, they have been accused of indulging in anti-party activities. 

Sher Bahadur Deuba became the prime minister following a judgment by the country’s Supreme Court on 12 July. On Sunday, his government comfortably proved the majority with the help of several parties, including the rebel faction of the ousted CPN-UML. 

Earlier, Oli in May dissolved the House and called for the fresh elections-- a move later successfully challenged by opposition MPs in the apex court. When the House dissolution case was pending in the apex court, Oli had sought to mend fences with the Nepal faction.

Later, when Oli lost power, he said the party doors would be closed for Madhav Nepal, terming the latter responsible for the downfall of his government.

Experts say the two men--Oli and Nepal-- have reached the point of no return, hinting at a split in the party. The talks to maintain the unity of the party scuttled after Oli hardened his position.

(SAM)