Kathmandu: Embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Friday said he will make 'every effort' to consolidate national unity and protect the territorial integrity of Nepal and asserted that the ruling communist party and its leaders must resolve the internal matters and disputes.
A crucial meeting of the ruling communist party to decide the political future of Oli was postponed for the fourth time on Friday, citing floods in the country, amidst calls for his resignation over his style of functioning and anti-India statements.
The meeting of the Nepal Communist Party’s 45-member powerful Standing Committee was scheduled to be held on Friday. But it was postponed for a week at the last moment. In his address to the nation, Oli said, "Such debates, discussions and differences are normal within a political party".
"I will assure all that I will make every effort to consolidate national unity, protect the democratic republic and uplift national pride," he said.
"I will also commit myself to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity. My all efforts are directed towards saving the lives of the people and their property during the time of the disaster," he said.
"The government under my leadership will not deviate from its duty to protect the people from disaster and hunger," he said.
At least 22 people have been killed in multiple landslides in Kaski, Lamjung and Rukum districts in the country’s western region.
It is the fourth time that the crucial NCP meeting has been postponed. On Wednesday the meeting was postponed to Friday.
Top NCP leaders, including former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', have demanded Prime Minister Oli's resignation, saying his recent anti-India remarks were 'neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate'.