KATHMANDU, Dec 27: Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattara has accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of pushing the country back toward regression by dissolving the House of Representatives (HoR).

Bhattarai, who is also the chairperson of the Federal Council of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a demonstration organized by his party against the government's decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament.

"Prime Minister Oli is pushing the country back toward regression by capturing various state organs in a gradual manner and parliament dissolution was a part of that exercise. In fact, regression does not come at one go, it comes in various forms," Bhattarai said.

He also criticized the prime minister's act of inducting new ministers into the Cabinet. "On the one hand, the prime minister dissolved parliament and announced the dates for midterm elections, on the other, he inducted new ministers into his Cabinet. This is unacceptable," Bhattarai said.

Recalling that he did not appoint new ministers into his Cabinet after the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly cum parliament back in 2012, Bhattarai questioned Prime Minister Oli's decision to appoint new ministers.

"There were 12 ministries lying vacant when I was serving as the prime minister. But, I did not appoint new ministers on moral grounds. Instead, I oversaw five-six ministries myself," Bhattarai said.

The JSP has launched protest demonstrations against the prime minister's move to dissolve parliament.

 
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