Nepal is facing heightened political turmoil as its major political parties have jointly called on President Ram Chandra Poudel to reverse his decision to dissolve the country’s parliament, a move taken in the wake of deadly anti-corruption protests.
In a rare show of unity, eight political forces—including the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), and the Maoist Centre—issued a statement declaring the president’s action unconstitutional and contrary to democratic norms. The dissolution, they argued, undermines representative institutions at a time when national stability is already under severe strain.
President Poudel announced the dissolution of the House of Representatives on Friday after accepting the recommendation of newly appointed interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The move was in line with one of the central demands voiced by protest leaders, who had reached a deal with the government following weeks of unrest.
The crisis erupted earlier this week when a government-imposed ban on social media platforms triggered mass demonstrations across the country. These protests quickly expanded into broader expressions of anger over corruption, governance failures, and political gridlock. Clashes between demonstrators and riot police turned violent, leaving more than 50 people dead and hundreds injured.
Analysts note that while the appointment of Prime Minister Karki and the dissolution of parliament were intended to pacify protesters, they have instead deepened Nepal’s constitutional crisis. Political parties warn that without an immediate reversal, the decision risks plunging the country into further instability, widening the gulf between citizens and state institutions.
