The third Standing Committee meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) concluded on Friday after the two chairmen agreed to revise their joint political document and present it to the next meeting.

Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s bid to endorse the paper on Thursday failed after the committee members urged the two chiefs to incorporate the issues raised during the meeting. However, another Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal pacified the leaders by promising necessary revision to the political document.

Despite heated discussions on the working style of the party leadership and the controversial activities of the government, the meeting unanimously endorsed the political document after the leaders realised their weaknesses.

“You can raise your concerns again at the next meeting if the political document fails to incorporate the spirit of your issues,” Dahal told leaders in Friday’s meeting.

The meeting also decided to complete the unification process by mid-January. For the purpose, the meeting has formed a nine-member task force comprising Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, General Secretary Bishnu Poudel, Shankar Pokhrel, Barshaman Pun, Yogesh Bhattarai, Surendra Pande, Lekhraj Bhatta, Beduram Bhusal and Raghubir Mahaseth.

The party is yet to form a unified politburo, and district, local and ward committees, besides the sister wings and its departments.

Leaders claimed that the meeting remained fruitful as it provided space for them to air their grievances against the leadership after a long time and they agreed on the principle that the “party runs the government”. The meeting also gave an opportunity for the leaders coming from different backgrounds to interact with each other.

“Now the party has charted out a plan to move the party and the government forward effectively,” said Bhusal.

As soon as the political document is endorsed by another meeting to be held within two weeks, the party will convene its Central Committee meeting.

Standing Committee member Haribol Gajurel said the party also decided to hold the gatherings of all the lower committees by mid-February and run a two-month national campaign until mid-April.