Nepal Prime Minister Oli dissolves Government

Elections to be held in April 2021

Kathmandu – Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli abruptly took a decision to dissolve the parliament during a cabinet meeting. This recommendation from the cabinet members was sent to President Vidya Devi Bhandari, who endorsed it and also declared that the elections will be held from 30th April to 10th May next year. Nepal’s presidential office has provided this information which has been opposed by the communist groups there. Nepal’s constitution does not have any provision on the dissolution of parliament, due to which this cabinet decision could be challenged by the court.

Nepal PM recommends dissolution of Parliament, feuding party leaders call it 'undemocratic'.https://t.co/6yM7cWZ0FQ

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1. Nepal’s Minister of Energy Barsaman Pun said that, PM Oli was under pressure to withdraw an ordinance related to the Constitutional Council Act that he had issued on Tuesday and was approved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Prime Minister Oli called for an emergency meeting at 10 in the morning. This meeting was supposed to decide about reversing the ordinance, instead it ended with a decision to dissolve the parliament.
2. Nepal’s ruling communist party ministers have opposed this decision. Party spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shreshtha said that this decision has been taken in a haste. All ministers were not present for the Cabinet meeting. This is against democratic values and take the nation backwards.
3. Prime Minister Oli and senior party leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda have developed strained relations.  It was decided that ‘all decisions will be taken with everyone’s approval and after discussion’, but it is being said that Oli has not been following this, which led to the increased strain between the two leaders. After a party meeting on 31st October, both leaders had called for a separate meeting of all their supporters, which further highlight the heightened tension between the two.