PM Oli rules out possibility of dissolving parliament

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Kathmandu / May 5: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has dismissed the rumours that the Legislature-Parliament is being dissolved. He reiterated his commitment to abide by the parliamentary practice.

Addressing the Legislature-Parliament on Thursday, PM Oli made it clear that he has no intention to take any undemocratic step and would not stand against democratic practice. “We heard a lot of rumours and went after them,” said Oli. “I was elected as the prime minister through this parliament and I will remain in this post as long as the parliament wants.”

In beginning of his address, the Prime Minister said he was ready to accept criticisms against the government including the ones expressed in the Parliament meetings for last couple of days. He said he had taken them as warnings against him and the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Oli clarified that he was not for dissolving the Parliament to avoid criticisms and risks lying in front of him and the government. Oli, however, maintained that he was ready to quit on the day he would lose the hold of majority in the Parliament.

He claimed that attempts were being made to create disorder and destabilise Nepal. “I would like to tell the parliament through the speaker that certain force has been making various efforts and carrying out activities in order to create instability,” said PM Oli. “I would like to urge the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) to hold open discussion on the ways to take ahead the country. The blame game is not the solution. We need certain common basic national policies.”

Hinting at the agitating Madhes-based political parties, PM Oli underscored the need to seek solution to the problems so as to benefit the country. Dismissing the accusations of his reluctance to hold dialogue with the disgruntled group, Oli expressed his readiness to address the grievances through talks and consensus.

He further said that the constitution was amended four months after its promulgation in order to address the demands of Madhes-based parties only after the latter gave a positive nod to the amendment though they refused to recognise it. “The amendment was not done in a meaningless manner,” he said. “We formed a political committee under DPM Kamal Thapa to resolve the dispute of state border demarcation. But the committee has not got full shape.”

He called on the agitating sides to raise the issues so that they could be resolved amicably. He took exception to the demand raised by Madhesi parties to rewrite the new constitution. “Only the Constitution Assembly (CA) can rewrite the new constitution. The constitution can only be amended on the basis of necessity.”

Saying that he is serious about the demands raised by Madhesi, Tharu, and Dalit, among other marginalised groups, Dahal claimed the government has been providing treatment to the injured people and the process to withdraw charges against the cadres of Madhes-based parties.” Earlier in the morning, a Cabinet meeting was postponed after UCPN (M) ministers did not show up for the meeting.