Kathmandu, Jan. 10 -- A deepening conflict over the candidate for House Speaker and the Millenium Challenge Corporation's Nepal Compact has broken the facade of unity in the ruling Nepal Communist Party.

Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who had appeared flexible on letting Subas Nembang become the House Speaker just a few days ago, has hardened his stance lately, largely because of pressure from the Maoist faction of the party, according to insiders.

Nembang is Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's pick for Speaker but the former Maoists want to hold on to the Speaker's post, which has been vacant since early October after Krishna Bahadur Mahara stepped down following attempted rape allegations. Mahara was a former Maoist party member.

Oli, who a...