KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, on Monday, has defended his move of parliament dissolution as a necessary step to protect the party's and nation's future.

The Prime Minister, also co-chair of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), claimed that he took the step with a heavy heart seeing no other alternative to saving the future of his party after continuous hurdles were thrown in the path of nation's progress.

He said this addressing a meeting called this morning at his official residence in Baluwatar, wherein lawmakers belonging to his faction within the party were present.

Read also: NCP lawmakers of now defunct House close to Oli gather at Baluwatar

PM Oli went on to level allegations against the other faction of the party, who he said were trying to obstruct the work of the government, forgetting the people's mandate. He said, he has remained active in fulfilling the objective of creating a large party that is clear in its thinking, organisation and goal. However, he claimed that Dahal-Nepal faction within the party have created obstructions in the nation's work.

In a clear attempt to secure his move, the Prime Minister further said that an artificial narrative has been brought forward which calls his move -- to call for a fresh people's mandate -- undemocratic. He added, fresh polls were called after hurdles were created in the government's attempt to live up to the people's faith.

He asserted, "People have understood what the government is doing and what is being publicised to defame the efforts."

The Prime Minister had summoned members of the defunct House of Representatives in the party faction led by him to brief them about his December 20 step to dissolve the parliament and announce mid-term elections.

In a sudden but not entirely unexpected move, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had recommended the HoR dissolution on Sunday morning. The recommendation was then swiftly approved by the President, while also announcing fresh mid-term elections to be held in two rounds in April-May in 2020.

Read more: House dissolved, mid-term polls announced