'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.
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Silver, gold script sharp comeback as US-Iran ceasefire calms global jitter
New Delhi (PTI): Silver prices surged Rs 11,000 to Rs 2.51 lakh per kilogram in the national capital on Wednesday, while gold advanced to Rs 1.56 lakh per 10 grams amid strong global cues after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white metal zoomed by Rs 11,000, or nearly 5 per cent, to Rs 2,51,000 per kg (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 2,40,000 per kg.
Gold of 99.9 per cent purity also appreciated by Rs 3,200, or 2.09 per cent, to Rs 1,56,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). It settled at Rs 1,53,200 per 10 grams in the previous market session.
Analysts said bullion prices strengthened as geopolitical tensions in West Asia eased, triggering a broader relief rally across global financial markets.
Gold maintained strong gains and approached a three-week high on Wednesday as improved global risk sentiment, along with a pullback in US dollar and crude oil prices, boosted demand for precious metals, Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst of Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
The positive momentum came after an agreement reached just before a self-imposed deadline by US President Donald Trump, who confirmed a pause in military action, conditional on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran also signalled that safe passage through the Strait would be possible during the ceasefire period, further easing supply concerns.
In the overseas markets, spot gold gained USD 97.48, or 2.07 per cent, to USD 4,803.33 per ounce, while silver was trading 6 per cent higher at USD 77.33 per ounce.
"Spot gold in the international markets surged on Wednesday after the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in the Iran war," Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said.
He added that commodities, bonds and equities rallied after crude oil prices crashed nearly 20 per cent on the ceasefire announcement, as a decline in energy rates will reduce interest rate hike chances by global central banks, including the US Federal Reserve.
Echoing similar sentiments, Kaynat Chainwala, AVP Commodity Research, Kotak Securities, said precious metal prices rose up to 7 per cent as the dollar slipped below 99 on US-Iran ceasefire relief, temporarily easing fears of prolonged energy supply shocks and the associated inflationary fallout.
The rally in bullion ran alongside a broader relief rally in global markets. Throughout the conflict, gold's traditional safe-haven appeal has been tempered by liquidity stress, as investors were compelled to liquidate bullion positions to cover losses elsewhere in their portfolios, she added.
"With the ceasefire conditional and compliance around the Strait of Hormuz still uncertain, any signs of a breach or collapse could quickly reverse sentiment and renew downside risk across precious metals," Chainwala said.
