In a parliamentary democracy, elections are held in high regard as they are the time-tested measures to determine the mood of electorates against any political parties or leaders. The people's mandate is crucial for any political dispensation to win the required support to form governments by appointing the people's representatives. When an incumbent Prime Minister finds that s/he has been incapacitated to implement promises made to the electorate, then he can seek a fresh mandate from the people whether to remain in power. There is no denying that in a democracy the people or the citizenry are the sovereign ones, and therefore, they should be allowed to exercise the supreme power vested on them - to elect their representatives in the parliament who would govern them, whenever politics go out of track.

After the KP Sharma Oli-led government dissolved the House of Representatives (HoR) on December 20, he opted for a fresh mandate from the people to elect the new HoR. He was compelled to take such an extreme step after his party colleagues tried to unseat him. When he dissolved the House, he had been the Prime Minister having the majority support in the House. Therefore, he had the right to dissolve the House and call for fresh people's mandate by declaring elections. Besides, he has, in his thoughtful reply to the Supreme Court, stated that the House dissolution was carried out by following the constitution and, most importantly, the dissolution was a political move and everyone should see his step in that light. The compulsive step was taken after some of his party colleagues 'hatched a plot to topple his government.' His opponents however retaliated by moving the court against the House dissolution. Many of PM's rivals now hope that the Supreme Court verdict will restore House.

At a recent public gathering in Dhangadi, the PM opined that elections were indispensable at this crucial juncture and the House could only be restored through elections. While making such remarks, the PM must have thought that the chaos and confusion that have marred the present-day politics can only be addressed through the people's vote, which will elect the new HoR. Many believe that the chaotic situation would not go away even if the House were restored through the Supreme Court verdict. On the other hand, elections appear to be the only recipe to end all problems that ensued after the internal strife in the ruling party went to a climax and then led to the House dissolution.

All rival groups within the ruling and the opposition parties, if they want to see the politics to come back on a right track, should aspire to go to the polls to seek the people's vote in their favour, instead of raising hell over the House dissolution. Elections, the most viable way to test the popularity of the political parties and leaders, will help resolve all present problems and confusions. In a democracy, parties and leaders should not eschew elections and people's mandate always attempt to rule the country by winning the hearts and minds of the people through the ballot.