Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli should have resigned when he had realized he had lost the majority within the party, said ruling Nepal Communist Party vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam. 

Gautam, who had earlier called the dissolution of the lower house unconstitutional, on Thursday said the matter is now sub judice and calling the move unconstitutional would amount to contempt of court. 

Significantly, Gautam remained neutral as the party descended into two factions, each led by Dahal and Prime Minister Oli. However, he said neither of the fractions kept him informed about their moves to undo each other. 

Speaking on the difference between Dahal and Oli, he said, it is natural to have differences but a successful leader should know to manage differences within the party. 

Speaking in the upper house of parliament, he hoped that the party would remain united even after what happened on 20 December last year. Prime Minister Oli recommended the dissolution of the house of representative on December 20 after facing months-long resistance from the Dahal faction.  

President Bidya Devi Bhandari approved the recommendation on the same day, prompting strong protests from political parties, including the Dahal faction, in Nepal. The country’s Supreme Court is currently hearing a total of 22 petitions, challenging the validity of the President’s decision to dissolve the house.