Addressing the upper house of parliament, Nepal Prime Minister on Sunday defended his decision to dissolve the lower house, terming it a “political issue,” not constitutional. Oli even resented the apex court decision to entertain the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of his December 20 decision. 

It was a political issue and the court should quash the petitions challenging it, Oli said in parliament, as per a report on The Himalayan Times. 

Oli also advised the judiciary not to come under the pressure of civil societies and media reporting.  He said, “the judiciary should not come under anybody’s pressure. The government respects the independence of the judiciary and separation of powers.” 

Oli also responded to demands of the house restoration, saying, “For what should the House of Representatives be restored? Should it be restored to invite political instability, to allow horse-trading, or to give people (a) chance to change the prime minister after every six months?”  

He said, “Article 85 stipulates that the HoR will have a five-year term unless dissolved earlier. This means that the House can also be dissolved after almost three years.”  

Oli also snubbed the possibility of the formation of a new government. I enjoy the support of 64 percent of lawmakers, there was no possibility of the formation of a new government, he added.