Kathmandu, Jan. 17 -- As indecision in the ruling Nepal Communist Party over the candidate for the House Speaker continues, insiders say party leaders have now come to terms with the fact that the issue has become a matter of prestige for the two co-chairs.

The past week saw an uncanny silence between KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal-there was no dialogue at all, even though it had become a norm for Dahal to consult Oli on almost every issue. Oli and Dahal only met on Thursday.

But pressure on the ruling party is mounting, as it has to find an acceptable candidate for the post of Speaker. The next House meeting is scheduled for Monday, and yet another postponement, if no agreement is reached, will be the fourth since the winter sess...