Oli in no mood to resign, prepared to face Parliament, says official

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will not resign immediately and implement the Supreme Court’s verdict against him by facing Parliament that is due to convene within two weeks, an official representing the embattled premier said on Wednesday.

In a landmark ruling, a five-member constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher on Tuesday annulled the Oli government’s “unconstitutional” decision to dissolve the 275-member lower house of Parliament. The court also ordered the government to summon the House session within the next 13 days.

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

Oli’s Press Advisor Surya Thapa said the prime minister, who turned 69 this week, intends to implement the verdict of the apex court after facing Parliament that is due to convene within two weeks.

“The Supreme Court’s verdict is controversial, however, it should be accepted and implemented. Its effects will be seen in the future as the decision has not provided any solution to the political problems,” Thapa said.He claimed that the apex court’s verdict will further fuel instability and pave way for power-play. “The Prime Minister will face the House of Representatives to implement the verdict but will not tender his resignation as of now,” Thapa was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times.

Oli’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Rimal, mirroring Thapa’s sentiments, said that all will have to accept the court’s decision. “However, it provides no solution to existing political complications,” Rimal said.

Thapa’s reaction comes amid mounting pressure on the prime minister to step down following the court verdict.

Oli-faction to summon parliament meeting

A standing committee meeting of the Nepal Prime Minister (caretaker) KP Oli-led faction of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on Wednesday decided to call a meeting of the lower house of Parliament, in the stipulated time directed by the country’s Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the Oli faction, Pradeep Gayawali informed mediapersons about the decision in the meeting that commenced today at Prime Minister’s Official residence-Baluwatar. ”We have decided to call house meeting on a given time by the court. Dates for the meeting will be announced soon,” Gyawali said.