Updated: December 20, 2020 2:40:00 pm
Nepal’s embattled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli recommended the dissolution of Parliament on Sunday, amid a protracted power struggle between him and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda.” (Archive)
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dissolved the House of Representatives on Sunday, two years before his normal term, amid a power dispute within the ruling Communist Party of Nepal.
The decision was made at a cabinet meeting this morning at his residence after talks with party co-chairman and dissident leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda failed.
But legal and political experts consider the sudden action unconstitutional. “It is a blow to the constitution by the chief executive,” said Dr. Bhimarjun Acharya, a prominent constitutional lawyer.
Top NCP leader and former prime minister Jhalnath Khanal said Oli will pay the price for taking this “extreme and unconstitutional act” without trusting the party.
Top party leaders believe this will lead to expulsion and against the expulsion of leaders followed by a split soon. There are also chances that the decision will be challenged in court.
Oli’s loss of majority in crucial party organs (central secretariat, standing committee and central committee) and the dissidents who labeled the corruption charges against the party had brought the infighting to a point of no return.
Opposition MPs had been contemplating a “impeachment” motion against the president that the dissolution of the House has now thwarted.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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