Nepal witnesses widespread protest against Oli's decision to dissolve parliament

Thousands of people stormed streets of Nepal on Wednesday to protest against dissolution of parliament by caretaker Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Mhav Kumar Nepal, and or members of Nepal Communist Party (NPC) h called upon people to come out on streets and protest against Oli's recent move to dissolve parliament and announce fresh elections in April and May.

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People heeded call of protest, while many were brought by members of NPC in buses and trucks to make it one of biggest rallies in Nepal since it transformed from constitutional monarchy to democracy a few years ago. Security was beefed up in capital Kathmandu, with police personnel securing key government offices. However, re were no reports of violence on Wednesday. 

What's happening in Nepal?

political turmoil in Nepal became worse after Prime Minister Oli dissolved parliament in December 2020, days before winter session was scheduled to begin. According to experts, PM Oli feared opposition from his own party members as well as a no-confidence motion, which prompted him to recommend President Bidya Devi Bhandari to dissolve democratically elected body and call for fresh polls. 

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Oli h long anticipated opposition from his own party members since he was facing growing pressure over his authoritarian way of running government and his repeated interference in party affairs despite handing over reign to Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Oli and Dahal h reached an agreement in 2017, prior to general election, where both leers h decided to share Prime Minister's seat for an equal period of time. 

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However, after winning polls and becoming PM with help of coalition, Oli refused to fulfill terms of agreement and inste tried to convince Dahal by offering him chairmanship of party. Oli h won most number of seats in election but was still short of majority mark required to form government, which he did by merging his and Dahal's party into one entity - NCP. 

What's ahe for Oli?

Since dissolution of parliament, Oli has been removed from party and is facing numerous petitions in Nepal's Supreme Court. It is now up to apex court of Nepal to decide wher move me by Oli was constitutional. court will make a decision on basis of certain factors, including if re was a chance of forming a new government without dissolving parliament. If court approves Oli's move, caretaker Prime Minister will remain until next elections, and if it rules reinstates parliament, he will likely be removed by a no-confidence vote.  

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