RAJBIRAJ, JANUARY 21

At a time when protest against the controversial dissolution of the Parliament by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is spreading across the country, the ruling party’s sister wing National Youth Association Nepal organised a demonstration in support of the prime minister in Saptari today.

In a motorbike rally organised by the association in Saptari’s district headquarters Rajbiraj today, participants chanted slogans in support of PM Oli and the party and took a round of the bazaar area. The demonstration was held amid heavy security deployed by the administration.

Speaking at a post-rally gathering, NYAN central Incharge Mahesh Basnet defended the PM’s act of dissolving the Parliament. “As some of our own leaders were conspiring to topple the government at the behest of foreign powers, the prime minister had no option but to dissolve the Parliament to foil the plot,” Basnet said.

Further, the NYAN leader said it was unfortunate to see protests against the prime minster in the Tarai.

“KP Sharma Oli always worries about how to develop the Madhes, but despite what he is doing for this region, these protests against him are unfortunate,” said Basnet, urging all leaders of Madhes to focus on developing the region by putting aside personal-interests.

Various other leaders including the organisation’s Chair Ramesh Poudel and central members Debanand Mahato and Sanjiv Jha also spoke at the rally today, arguing that the PM’s move to dissolve the Parliament was indeed constitutional.

It is important to note that the gathering was initially scheduled to happen in the District Coordination Committee’s meeting hall but had to be shifted to Raj stadium following the protest of the Dahal-Nepal faction.

Nine leaders and cadres of Dahal-Nepal faction were also arrested today.