'Unconstitutional', 'arbitrary': Nepal parties, lawyers slam Parliament dissolution move
Kathmandu (PTI): Nepal's major political parties and apex lawyers' body have strongly criticised the president's decision to dissolve parliament, describing the move as "unconstitutional", "arbitrary" and a serious blow to democracy.
The criticism followed Friday’s recommendation by the first cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki to dissolve the House of Representatives, a proposal that President Ram Chandra Paudel promptly approved.
The house was dissolved with effect from 11 pm on September 12, 2025, according to a notice issued by the President’s Office. The president also fixed March 21, 2026, as the date for holding fresh parliamentary elections, it said.
Political parties across the spectrum slammed the dissolution move.
Disapproving of the move, Nepali Congress (NC), the largest political party of the country, warned that any action violating the Constitution would be unacceptable.
The Central Executive Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress held on Saturday concluded that the dissolution of the Parliament has "jeopardised the democratic achievements" of the country, MyRepublica news portal reported.
"This move to dissolve parliament is against the spirit of our Constitution and the interpretation of the Supreme Court. It is absolutely unconstitutional,” the NC said in a statement.
NC General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma said any breach of the Constitution raises serious questions.
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel described the move as “ironically concerning”.
“In the past, the majority of governments’ attempts to dissolve Parliament were challenged as unconstitutional. Ironically, those same voices are now supporting dissolution. We must remain vigilant,” the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) leader was quoted as saying by the news portal.
The CPN (Maoist Centre) also expressed serious disagreement with the decision to dissolve the House of Representatives.
Party spokesperson and Vice Chairman Agni Prasad Sapkota said the decision went against the country’s constitutional framework.
Issuing a late-night statement, the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) said the "arbitrary" dissolution undermines constitutional supremacy and “strikes at the core of constitutionalism”.
The umbrella body of legal professionals warned that the step weakens Nepal’s hard-won democracy and dilutes the achievements of federalism.
"The President’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives also contradicts the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling on the reinstatement of Parliament,” the NBA said.
It further cautioned that dissolving the House before the completion of its term erodes public trust in democratic institutions and threatens the very foundation of the constitutional order.
NBA president Vijay Prasad Mishra and general secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala jointly signed the statement, urging all sectors of society to resist “any regressive steps” and support their protest and actions against the dissolution.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
_vb_49.jpeg)