While Covid-19 makes it difficult to host the event, leaders say disputes within the party compound the challenges.

Experts say the move adds burden to the state coffers, already reeling under the corona pandemic.

Oli’s decision to appoint Sushil Bhatta the IBN chief has run into controversy, but analysts say it comes as a continuation of Nepal’s parties’ trend of handpicking people of their choice disregarding merit and process.

The plan to print the passports at home hit a roadblock after Gokul Prasad Baskota, a minister in the Oli Cabinet, was caught on tape negotiating a Rs 700 million 'commission'.

Despite protests from the Poudel faction, the party president says he will continue to form more committees as he reserves the right to do so.

Insiders say the Dahal faction is now all prepared to put a squeeze on Oli to make a concession or resign as party chair.

After Pushpa Kamal Dahal convenes the meeting with majority of Standing Committee members, Oli is in bid to cultivate some senior leaders, including Bamdev Gautam.

The government has allocated just Rs 140 million for its diplomatic posts to organise programmes and events to promote investment and aid.

Convention in February but federal structure of the party yet to be formed.

Doctors say the government should have taken the country’s healthcare capacity and experts’ advice into consideration.

The Nepal faction, which has backed Dahal so far, is suspicious after reports that the party chair has reached a deal with Oli keeping his allies in the dark.

If bitterness at the political level has percolated down to the people’s level, it is a matter of grave concern, leaders and foreign policy experts say.

Insiders say the two chairs might be discussing a deal between them but they cannot ignore other senior leaders and the party committee.

Foreign Ministry scrambles for damage control after the prime minister made unsubstantiated arguments about Ram’s birth and accused India of cultural aggression by creating a ‘fake’ Ayodhya.

Media and foreign policy analysts say the issues could have been easily dealt with by the Nepali embassy in Delhi through a presser or a statement of rebuttal or a formal complaint with the concerned media or channel.