Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Defense Minister Bidya Bhandari aren't talking to one another because of differences over a proposal mooted by Bhandari to revise the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The PM has refused to lend the proposal official government sanction. The agreement, made when the monarchy was still extant, places many limitations on the army. Bhandari and every political party except the Maoists want these limitations removed.

However, the PM has not given her the permission to put this proposal to the cabinet. The PM ended cabinet meetings prematurely on each of the three occasions Bhandari attempted to do so.

Flustered, Bhandari is now considering resigning. But under KP Oli's advice, she has held off doing so for a couple of days because there are fears that the PM may go softer on the Maoists after her resignation.

A few days ago, when PM Nepal toured army headquarters with Sujata Koirala and Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, the Defence Minister wasn't even informed. According to UML sources, Bhandari will resign whenever the talks between KP Oli and party president Jhalnath Khanal conclude.

Khanal (who left for Delhi on Tuesday) and Oli have had several secret meetings. There are rumours that they are looking for someone to replace PM Nepal from outside of the Maoist party.