Kathmandu, Feb. 4 -- Rival factions of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) are headed for a showdown as both flex their muscles with shows of force on the streets, even as the Supreme Court continues to hear arguments for and against Prime Minister K P Oli's dissolution of the House.

On Thursday, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led faction of the NCP enforced a nationwide shutdown that for many harked back to the instability of past. There was outrage from the public on social media against the move, especially after arson attacks on taxis in the early morning.

Although the shutdown was supposed to make a mockery of Prime Minister Oli's promise of stability and prosperity, the real intention behind stopping public transport appears to have been to p...