Oli’s move is unconstitutional, opposition party leaders say

Published On: December 20, 2020 01:00 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Dec 20: Leaders of various opposition parties have termed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s move to dissolve parliament unconstitutional.

Leader of the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) and Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai urged all the political parties to collectively object to the government’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR) by PM Oli. “The move by PM Oli goes against the spirit of the Constitution of Nepal,” he tweeted.

Dr Bhattarai said that the PM cannot dissolve parliament as per the constitution. “The provision of no dissolution of parliament by the Prime Minister was envisaged in constitution as we had undergone through bitter experiences of instabilities in the past,” said Bhattarai in his video post, adding that PM Oli’s unilateral move is condemnable.

He added that it is a sheer violation of the statute.

Senior leader of the main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC), Ram Chandra Poudel also said that the move by PM Oli is purely unconstitutional and against the national interests. Taking to Twitter, leader Poudel also argued that the PM does not have authority to dissolve parliament. “It should be immediately withdrawn.”

Another NC leader, Gagan Thapa, said that the validity of public mandate to the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) that it had earned through election has come to an end with the Prime Minister Oli dissolving the HoR.

He also insisted that PM Oli’s latest move is undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Prime Minister Oli earlier on Sunday morning recommended to President Bidya Devi Bhandari to dissolve parliament. An emergency Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Baluwatar decided to recommend to President Bhandari to dissolve parliament.

Oli's move is likely to be challenged in the court as the constitution does not have a provision for the dissolution of parliament, according to constitutional experts.

Meanwhile, the Bibeksheel Sajha Party also condemned the PM Oli’s decision to dissolve parliament.

Issuing a press release on Sunday, chairman of the party, Rabindra Mishra urged President Bhandari to maintain sanctity of her position by rejecting the government’s decision to dissolve parliament.