CPN-UML alone in insisting on House reinstatement

Kathmandu, Oct. 16 -- As the election date inches closer, the CPN-UML is the only major party still in favour of the reinstatement of the Ho...

Kathmandu, Oct. 16 -- As the election date inches closer, the CPN-UML is the only major party still in favour of the reinstatement of the House of Representatives.

Although a few other parties including the Nepali Congress have termed the appointment of Sushila Karki as prime minister and the dissolution of the House of Representatives unconstitutional, they have announced to participate in the March 5 snap elections. President Ramchandra Paudel, on September 12, appointed Karki after the KP Sharma Oli government was ousted on September 9 by the Gen Z movement.

Speaking in a meeting called by Speaker Devraj Ghimire on Wednesday, the UML leaders strongly advocated for the reinstatement of the lower house. Mahesh Bartaula, the party's former chief whip, not only demanded the restoration of the dissolved parliament but also suggested that the Speaker do his bit.

"Parliament must be reinstated. The constitutional institutions must remain functional. Along with the political parties, the Speaker should also play a role in this effect," he said. "The decision to dissolve the parliament must go through judicial review."

Ten writ petitions challenging the formation of the Karki government and the dissolution of the lower house have been registered at the top court. The hearing is set to begin on October 29 in the constitutional bench.

Even as the UML, in its Wednesday meeting, sought support from other political parties to build pressure for reinstatement of Parliament, they did not come openly in the party's support.

Shyam Ghimire, former Congress chief whip, said the dissolution of the House of Representatives was unconstitutional and his party was not fully convinced that the polls would be held in a free and fair manner and on the stipulated date. However, he said his party would happily participate in the elections if the environment is conducive.

"Our party has clearly said that the formation of the current government and the dissolution of the lower house are unconstitutional," he said. "However, as a democratic party, we don't back away from elections. The party will focus on election preparations but the government and the election commission should first create conditions for free and fair elections on March 5."

The Speaker had invited leaders from 10 different parties based on their strength in the dissolved parliament to learn about whether the parties want reinstatement.

The CPN (Maoist Centre) said that the current crisis cannot be resolved by sticking to the letter of the constitution. "The formation and dissolution of this government may seem unconstitutional if we stick to the letter of the constitution," said the party's former chief whip Hitraj Pandey. "In the current circumstances, the only way out is elections. The government must create an environment for that."

The CPN (Unified Socialist), and the Janata Samajbadi Party, among others, also stood in favour of elections. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party, however, had a different position. Gyanendra Shahi, the party leader, said that the House can be reinstated if parties agree to amend the constitution. If not, it is always better to go to the polls, he said.

After listening to all parties, Speaker Ghimire said he had not decided whether to plead for House reinstatement. "I have not made up my mind now. I will do whatever is necessary to protect democracy, republicanism and the constitution. I will hold further discussions with you all and reach a conclusion," the Speaker had said in the meeting. He is holding consultations with representatives from the Nepal Bar Association and constitutional experts to discuss the matter.

In 2020 and 2021, then Speaker Agni Sapkota had moved the Supreme Court against the decision of KP Sharma Oli government to dissolve the lower house. The House was reinstated both times.