By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Dec. 20: The decision made by the emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers today to recommend the dissolution of the federal parliament has been receiving different reactions from political leaders.

Here's what leaders of the opposition parties have to say about the decision taken by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government amid an intra-party rift.

Against democratic values: Ram Chandra Poudel

I have received information that the cabinet has recommended dissolution of the House. This is against the constitution, values of democracy and against the nation. The Constitution of Nepal, 2072 has not provisioned for the dissolution of the parliament. The decision should be withdrawn.

Poudel is a leader of Nepali Congress.

Unconstitutional move: Dr. Baburam Bhattarai

In the new Constitution, we had decided the term of the House of Representatives for five years in order to ensure political stability. Considering the political instabilities in the past, we had made sure that no instabilities would be invited by dissolving the parliament before the end of its tenure.

It is saddening to hear that PM Oli has presented a proposal before the President to dissolve the parliament. By inviting political uncertainty like before, this decision has torn apart our effort to improve the system from the Constitution Assembly. This is against democratic values and the constitution.

This irresponsible step by PM Oli, despite the Nepal Communist Party being near to the government with a 2/3^rd majority, is not in favour of democracy, and this should be opposed from everywhere.  

Subject to constitutional interpretation: Gagan Thapa

The constitution has provisioned a five-year term of the parliament. The decision to dissolve the parliament is unconstitutional and undemocratic. It is certain that the decision will be subjected to constitutional interpretation. No matter how is the constitution interpreted, the legitimacy of the votes given to the NCP by citizens has ended along with this recommendation.

Thapa is a HoR member from Nepali Congress.