KATHMANDU, Dec. 14 -- The CPN-UML has once again amended its party statute, increasing the number of office-bearers to 19. This comes just ahead of the closed-door session of its ongoing 11th National General Convention.

The decision was taken at a Central Committee meeting held at Bhrikutimandap, where party chair KP Sharma Oli tabled the amendment proposal.

The move reverses a decision taken at the statute convention in September 5-7, which had reduced the number of office-bearers' positions from 19 to 15 and scrapped the post of senior vice-chair.

Soon after that convention, former senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokhrel announced his intention to challenge Oli for the party presidency at the 11th general convention.

With Pokhrel's rebel...