Nepal’s former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of “killing democracy” in the country and hoped that the Supreme Court would reinstate the lower house of parliament.

Addressing a rally in Lumbini, Dahal, the rival of Prime Minister Oli, said Oli was trying to impose tyranny in the country by subverting democracy, as per a report in The Himalayan Times.

“Lumbini has a history of launching successful struggles for democracy and republicanism. It has to launch another struggle now against PM Oli, who is up for imposing tyranny on us by killing democracy," Dahal said in the rally.

“Don’t think we are here to protest against KP Oli,” Dahal said, asking people to “protect democracy” and the constitution. We have made significant sacrifices for it, he added. 

Last year on 20 December, Oli had dissolved parliament following a months-long tussle with Dahal and Madhav Nepal over the leadership of the ruling Nepal Communist Party. 

The party saw a vertical split thereafter. The Election Commission, however, is yet to take a formal call validating the split. Activists and political leaders have filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging Oli’s decision.

In his speech, Dahal also hoped that Supreme Court would reinstate the house. “We believe that the court will restore the Parliament," Dahal said, "If that doesn't happen, we will have no option but to turn to the people and form a government through street struggle.” 

On the other hand, Pradeep Gyawali, the foreign minister and Oli’s close confidant, said on Friday the apex court would uphold the government decision of dissolving the house. He was speaking at a rally organized by the Oli faction of the NCP.