KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba met in Baluwatar on Thursday, seeking to resolve the ongoing deadlock over the appointment of the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.

The high-level meeting, which also included Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, took place ahead of a scheduled cabinet session, signaling its political significance.

The appointment process for the central bank’s top post has stalled despite an earlier agreement between Oli and Deuba to appoint Dr. Gunakar Bhatta as Governor.

Following the agreement, Bhatta resigned from his role as Executive Director of the central bank. However, Acting Governor Dr. Neelam Dhungana’s refusal to accept Bhatta’s resignation has plunged the process into disarray.

Further complicating the situation, Bijayanath Bhattarai, a member of the Governor Recommendation Committee, resigned from his position, prompting the government to appoint outgoing Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari to the vacant seat.

Although the committee is now complete, it has yet to convene, with Bhatta’s resignation status still unresolved.

Adding to the uncertainty, a writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against Adhikari’s inclusion in the committee.

With the central bank’s top seat still unoccupied, political maneuvering continues as both Oli and Deuba seek to break the impasse.