PM Oli defends his move to dissolve HoR

KATHMANDU: Nepal Communist Party Chairman and Prime Minister KP Oli on Saturday reiterated that he was obliged to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR) due to non-cooperation from within the party for the government to work in favour of the people.

Addressing a gathering of party’s youth wing in the capital city, PM Oli stated that the other faction of the party was hindering for constitution’s implementation and creating obstacles in appointments to the constitutional bodies.

“The government was prevented from working, from making laws and the parliamentary committee created troubles to government by obstructing to submit the bill in the Parliament. So, I announced the (mid-term) election to advance the country by taking fresh mandate as the country could not move ahead in the expected speed,” he said.

On the occasion, PM Oli said that the people from outside and within the party were panicked after he announced the election for the fresh mandate.

Stating that some people were terming the government decision to HoR dissolution as unconstitutional, the PM said that the people who served in the Supreme Court should not threaten the judiciary.

The PM also urged them to respect the judiciary. Going for fresh mandate of the people is never an anti-democratic move, he said, commenting that those fearing to test people’s verdict are against democracy. He claimed that the elections would be held in the stipulated date.

“No one in the country should harbor doubt on the conduction of elections”. The prime minister further noted that the incumbent government would not invite any autocratic regime.

“Election date would not change anymore”. Urging his party leaders and cadres to create environment for elections, Oli said those reluctant to work in favour of the country and people should be put aside.

Also speaking on the occasion, former chair of Youth Association and ex-minister Mahesh Basnet said dissolving parliament was a prerogative right of the Prime Minister and there was no meaning to protest the decision of the parliamentary dissolution.