On Sunday, Nepal’s politics took a sudden turn. The country has plunged into mid-term election. President Bidya Devi Bhandari has dissolved the House of Representatives (HoR) of the Federal Parliament as per the recommendation of the government. As per the press statement issued by the Office of the President, the first phase of the mid-term election will be held on Friday, April 30, 2021, and the second phase election will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021, to receive a fresh mandate from people for the formation of the new HoR. Seemingly, the move appears to be dramatic but the poll announcement is based on Article 76 (1), (7), and Article 85 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072, fundamental principles and values of the parliamentary system, and various national and international practices.

Prior to recommending the dissolution of the parliament, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli chaired an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers this morning. As the crisis within the ruling party further deepened and party rivals piled pressure on him, the PM had no option but to seek fresh mandate by dissolving the Parliament, which is a natural step for the government that sought to diffuse confusion and chaos arising out of party’s internal strife. Under the parliamentary system, the PM who has the prerogative to dissolve the House on the plausible ground. On the face of it, the drastic step is not popular but a compulsive one for the PM has been constantly denied to work in line with the electoral promise made during the historic three-tier elections in 2017.

The present political development is the outcome of the party-government conflict, which defines Nepali politics for the last seven decades. In the past, the nation plunged into instability after a few governments with comfortable majority got dissolved. This occurs when the collective leadership fails to function. Moreover, when the party refuses to grant greater autonomy to the government, a serious trust deficit leads the two entities drift apart. This political move emanates as the political leaders fail to demarcate the bounds of their jurisdiction. Their inability to truly embrace constitutional practice and democratic culture triggers crisis.

The decision to hold the fresh elections is the due democratic process so as to test the popular views on the issues and arguments presented by the PM. However, cadres of different political parties and groups have taken to the streets against the announcement of the snap polls. For them, it was like a bolt from the blue. However, it is wise to comprehend the internal dynamisms, leading to the current situation. PM Oli’s commitment to democracy, human rights and popular mandate is beyond doubt. In the last federal polls, he led the Left Alliance comprising the erstwhile CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre to the resounding victory. The two parties won the polls on the planks of stability, prosperity and nationalism.

Upon assuming office, PM Oli framed an ideal motto of nation-building that is Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali. He put his best foot forward to realise his vision of democratic restructuring of Nepali society but he could not enjoy the desired support from within the party. Instead of throwing their support behind the strong government, spoilers went to clip the wings of the PM. In their latest move, they were reportedly hell-bent on ousting him through the no-confidence motion in the parliament. Therefore, we should see the present politics in this perspective. The parties must not drag their feet when it comes to participating in the elections.