In what looks like an effort to defuse the crisis in the Nepal Communist Party, chair KP Sharma Oli had reached out to fellow chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal visiting him at his Khumaltar residence Saturday morning.

This is only the second time Oli has visited Dahal in the three years after he became the prime minister.

Subash Nembang, a Standing Committee member and close confidante of Oli, said that the prime minister is visiting Dahal at the latter's invitation.

“Dahal had invited Oli during their meeting on Friday," Nembang told the Post.

Relations between Oli and Dahal have lately turned bitter, with both of them levelling accusations against each other. The ruling Nepal Communist Party is vertically divided along Oli and Dahal factions.

Party members say they are concerned if both the chairs are in a confrontational mode.

Oli's reluctance to withdraw the ordinance related to the Constitutional Council despite agreeing to do so at Wednesday's Standing Committee meeting has stoked concerns in the Dahal camp if Oli is planning a drastic step.

The Oli camp is also concerned if the Dahal faction will take a major decision against him on the basis of majority in the party.