Nepal Supreme Court overturns PM KP Sharma Oli’s decision to dissolve parliament

Terming Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli‘s decision to dissolve parliament as “unconstitutional”, Nepal’s Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the decision and reinstated the parliament. 

“The Supreme Court has ordered to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives after concluding that the government’s decision was unconstitutional and against parliamentary practises,” Kishor Poudel, the press expert at the Supreme Court, told AFP, adding that the court had ordered a session of parliament within 13 days.

In December, K.P. Sharma Oli dismissed the House of Representatives abruptly and also accused members of his Nepal Communist Party of being uncooperative. He called for elections in April and May.

Following this, several writs were filed in the Supreme Court challenging his decision. Protests and clashes also took place in the streets.

The opposition as well as members of the dissident faction of Oli’s own party welcomes the court’s decision. 

Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the spokesman for the faction, said the court has “protected the spirit of democracy”.

“The prime minister should resign on moral grounds taking responsibility for his unconstitutional attempt. Otherwise, we will take the necessary decision from the parliament,” Shrestha said.