Kathmandu, Sept. 22 -- UML chair KP Sharma Oli has taken direct control of the party's central committee meeting as an increasingly contentious debate over its leadership and organisational direction comes to a head.

Oli opened Monday's meeting himself at a party venue in Lalitpur and remained in charge of proceedings from the start.

At previous central committee meetings, General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel would usually conduct the proceedings, with Oli stepping out occasionally during the session.

The change comes as senior UML leaders continue to debate whether the party needs organisational and leadership changes following its poor showing in the March 5 election. Several senior leaders have called for reforms, while Oli has rejecte...