KATHMANDU, Nepal – The Supreme Court in Nepal on Tuesday ruled that the country’s parliament, which was dissolved by the country’s prime minister in December, should reconvene, pushing the Himalayan nation into another round of political instability.
Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dissolved parliament on December 20 after protracted internal disputes within his ruling Nepalese Communist Party, but the court concluded that he had exceeded his powers.
“The court described the dissolution of the house as an unconstitutional act,” said Bhadrakali Pokharel, a spokesman for the court, adding that the legislature should be reinstated within two weeks.
The decision means that Mr. Oli is likely to face a motion of no confidence when lawmakers reconvene.
Rajan Bhattarai, a foreign affairs adviser to Mr. Oli, said the prime minister would respect the court order. “He will not consider any undemocratic move such as an emergency or anything else,” he said.
Mr. Oli dissolved parliament about two years before the five-year mandate would end to advance an expected motion of no confidence by rival leaders in his party.
Mr. Oli was elected to a second term as prime minister in 2017 by drafting a majority in an alliance with former Maoist rebels and promising to tackle the endemic corruption plaguing the country and forge stronger ties with China.
The political turmoil in Nepal comes amid growing tensions between China and India, two powerful neighbors whose rivalry has become increasingly tense. This increased as China pushed its claims to disputed land along their rugged border in the Himalayas.
During his tenure, Mr. Oil increasingly tilted towards China, at the expense of India.
Mr. Oli started several important development projects as part of the Chinese efforts to develop trade and transit connections in the region, which in effect put an end to what was an Indian monopoly in the country.
“Oli’s retirement could be a satisfying affair for India,” said Bipin Adhikari, former dean of Kathmandu University and a constitutional expert. A weak coalition government can support them more than Oli. ‘
Mr. Oli has lost his grip in the party and in parliament over the past few days. The dissolution divided the ruling party into two factions, with the group vying against Mr. Oli opposes and his decision to dissolve parliament led by a former Mao rebel, Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Legal experts and political activists gathered outside the High Court in Kathmandu to celebrate the ruling on Tuesday. The decision of mr. Oli to dissolve parliament has been condemned by many in his own party and in the opposition.
One senior leader of the Nepalese Communist Party, Raghuji Pant, accused Mr. Oli appealed to retire.
“On moral grounds, the prime minister must resign immediately,” he said. Pant said. “Our party can remain intact if the Prime Minister agrees to support another leader as Prime Minister. If not, a new power equation is inevitable. ”