The Central Committee meeting of the ruling CPN UML is to begin from Monday in Kathmandu.

The meeting, first after the UML joined the Deuba-led government, is likely to vouch for the party’s stay in the ruling coalition, which remains a debated issue in the party, insiders said.

The UML is facing intense pressure from within a section of the party and almost all its sister organisations, most importantly its student and youth wings, to walk out of the government on grounds of its failure to restore peace. A number of controversial decisions of government have also drawn flak from within the party.

Amrit Bohora, a senior UML leader, said, “The Central Committee meeting will extensively discuss the current political situation, the performance of the government and the Maoist problem and will declare party’s stand on these issues.”

The Central Committee meeting will continue until December 17. nepalnews.com mbk Dec 12 04