The Election Commission in Nepal has summoned both fractions of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on Friday for discussions, reported The Himalayan Times. This comes after both factions had filed their respective claims of being the original NCP.

The report said the commission is likely to discuss the impending elections that were scheduled for April and May. Dahal faction earlier expelled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from the primary membership of the party.

The split in the ruling party happened last year after Prime Minister Oli dissolved the lower house of parliament on 20 December. The move rattled Oli’s party rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal who had been trying to unseat Oli from the post of the prime minister for months. The dissolution move came when it became clear to Oli that Dahal faction was to bring a no-confidence motion against him.

Since the dissolution of the lower house, both factions have been holding their separate meeting of the party standing committees. Oli, however, repeatedly mocked the claims of Dahal and other rival leaders. 

Oli’s government has been facing criticism from all sides, as people accused him of plunging the country into a constitutional crisis. Members of civil society also criticized Oli for subverting the democratic gains of the country. 

On the legal front, many experts also raised doubt over the legality of Oli’s decision to dissolve parliament. Opponents have filed multiple litigations in the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of the 20th December move. Currently, a three judges bench, headed by the chief justice, has been hearing a slew of petitions in the matter.

Political parties have also been taking out protest rallies, opposing the “undemocratic” decision of Prime Minister Oli. However, till now the fragmented opposition in Nepal has failed to put a united show against their, what they call, autocratic prime minister.