BUTWAL, FEBRUARY 13

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said he had to dissolve the Parliament to save the country from slipping into an uncertain future in the face of 'severe obstruction' of government work.

"As to how government work was hindered and the country faced an uncertain future, it was expedient for the executive head of the majority government to dissolve the Parliament by using his special prerogative," said the PM, speaking at a mass gathering organised by the party's Lumbini Province chapter today.

Further, Oli argued that the decision to go for fresh mandate was anything but regressive.

"How can a decision to go to the public for fresh mandate be a regressive move? What sort of system do we want where elections are shunned?" he asked.

The ruling party chairperson further warned that restoration of the Parliament, if that were to happen at all, would only serve to create uncertainty in the country.

"I firmly believe that the court won't restore the Parliament, as such a decision will surely push the country into uncertainty. In fact, it's a fresh mandate that we get through the polls that will ensure stability, not a reinstatement of the House which has already been dissolved," he argued.

The ruling party chair also observed that Nepal Communist Party (NCP) had gone through a purge after some unwanted elements left it.

"Now that our party has got rid of impurities, it will move ahead with a new momentum and stay united," he said, adding that people wouldn't be duped by the sweet talks of leaders like Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal any more.

He also tried to assure his party rank and file, saying that they would indeed retain the party's existing election symbol.

Oli further pledged to provide relief to all victims and employment to a member from each of these families. "As youths particularly have a huge responsibility to make the country prosperous, let's not be taken in by anyone's sugary talk," he told the audience.

On a different note, the prime minister pledged action against persons involved in crimes such as the murder of Nirmala Panta and Bhagirathi Bhatta.

NCP General Secretary and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel also argued that the party hadn't split, but had gone through a purge.

Similarly, other leaders of the Oli faction, such as Lumbini Province Chief Minister and party Standing Committee member Shankar Pokharel, Energy Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, and Industry Minister Lekhraj Bhatta also spoke on the occasion criticising the rival faction and showing their support for the prime minister and party Chair Oli.