KATHMANDU, MAY 14

Chairperson of CPN-Maoist Centre Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said his party would not shy away from mid-term polls if announced as per the constitutional provision.

As per the recent Supreme Court ruling, the government can recommend dissolution of the House of Representatives and announce snap polls if a new government cannot be formed. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who was sworn in as the prime minister under Article 76 (3) of the constitution, is required to win a vote of confidence within next 30 days. If he loses the trust vote again, the likelihood of which is very high, the process to form the next government under Article 76 (5) will start.

In that case, if a lawmaker shows that s/he can pass the floor test in the Lower House, the president shall appoint such a member as prime minister. But even that person has to win the trust vote within 30 days. Failure to do so will lead to dissolution of the House.

Speaking to mediapersons on the Parliament premises today, Dahal said his party would oppose elections only if they were announced violating constitutional provisions.

He said his party would continue to fight for upholding the constitution and democratic values.

When asked if he felt betrayed by the Madhav Kumar Nepal faction of the CPN- UML, Dahal said, 'They are also fighting for upholding constitution and democratic values. It will be unfair to say that they betrayed us.' A version of this article appears in the print on May 15, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.