Nepal's Opposition alliance urges state organs not to support Oli govt's 'unconstitutional' activities

Kathmandu, May 30 (PTI) Nepal's Opposition alliance on Sunday urged all state institutions t to support Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli government's "unconstitutional" and "anti-democratic" activities that could have a lasting impact on country and people at a time when a writ petition is being heard by Supreme Court challenging dissolution of House of Representatives.

alliance also expressed hope that Supreme Court's verdict on petitions against dissolution of lower house of Parliament will come in its favour, according to media reports.

In a joint statement, leaders of Opposition parties warned government to refrain from undertaking any activity that could have a lasting effect on country and people, Himalayan Times reported.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', leader of disgruntled faction of CPN-Unified Marxist–Leninist Madhav Kumar Nepal, co-chair of Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal Upendra Yadav and vice-chair of Rashtriya Janamorcha Durga Poudel signed statement.

Opposition leaders also urged all state organs and institutions t to support Oli government in its "unconstitutional" and "anti-democratic" acts.

"We are certain that Supreme Court of Nepal will safeguard Constitution and give verdict in our favour," statement said.

“We had staked claim to post of Prime Minister with support of 149 lawmakers. government cant decide on dissolving House in this case,” reads a joint press statement of Opposition alliance.

At present, 136 votes are needed to form a majority government.

Opposition alliance moved Apex Court demanding reinstatement of House of Representatives and appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba as Prime Minister in line with Article 76 (5) of Constitution. Ors had also filed petitions against dissolution of House of Representatives.

A Constitutional Bench of Nepal's Supreme Court on Friday heard 30 writ petitions against dissolution of lower house of Parliament.

Sunday's hearing was mainly focused on formation of Constitutional Bench to hear writ petitions which demand restoration of lower house of Parliament dissolved on May 22. Lawyers from both sides put forth ir arguments over questions raised by some members of Bench, My Republica.com reported.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved 275-member House of Representatives on May 22 for second time in five months and anunced snap elections on vember 12 and vember 19 on advice of Prime Minister Oli.

She rejected bids of both Prime Minister Oli and Opposition alliance's claims to form a government. Oli and Nepali Congress President Deuba had staked separate claims to premiership, saying “claims were insufficient.” Embattled prime minister Oli on Friday urged all political parties to form an all-party government and hold fresh elections, as he tried to justify controversial dissolution of House of Representatives twice by President, saying a "functionless" Parliament turned out to be main source of instability in country.

Earlier on December 20, President had dissolved Parliament and called snap polls on April 30 and May 10. However, two months later, Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana-led Constitutional Bench on February 23 overturned decision and reinstated House of Representatives.

Constitutional experts have criticised Oli and Bhandari for ir complicity in trampling upon Constitution.

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 last year after President Bhandari dissolved House and anunced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10 at recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP).

Oli's move to dissolve House sparked protests from a large section of NCP led by his rival 'Prachanda'. PTI NSA AKJ AKJ