Prachanda’s supporters rally against Nepal PM Oli’s decision to dissolve Parliament

Kathmandu: Hundreds of students belonging to the Nepal Communist Party’s rival faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Sunday held a rally here against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s decision to dissolve Parliament, as the rivalry between the two top leaders escalated.

The rally by Prachanda’s supporters came two days after pro-government students chanting slogans like “We love KP Oli,” “Oli is our hero,” “Oli for the prime minister” staged a massive show of strength in Kathmandu in favour of Oli.

Supporters of Prachanda on Sunday shouted slogans like “We hate you KP Oli” and “We hate KP Oli for taking the country towards the path of regression by dissolving the House of Representatives.”

The rally was part of the phase-wise anti-government agitation led by Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal against the prime minister’s controversial decision to dissolve Parliament on December 20 and hold new elections on April 30 and May 10.

The ruling NCP has been witnessing months-long tussle between two factions, one led by 68-year-old Oli and Party’s chairman and another led by 66-year-old “Prachanda,” also the executive chair of the party and former premier.

Defending his move to dissolve Parliament, Oli said some leaders tried to obstruct the functioning of his government and he had no other alternative other than seeking a fresh mandate.

The ruling NCP has split over Oli’s call for a new Parliament to be elected more than a year ahead of schedule.

Both Oli and the rival group claim to control the Nepal Communist Party and the issue is being disputed at the Election Commission.

The rival faction even announced that it had ousted Oli from the party at a meeting last month.