Nepal president dissolves Parliament; elections next spring
A Nepalese protester burns an effigy of prime minister Khadga Prasad Oli in front of the parliament building in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. Nepals president dissolved Parliament on Sunday after the prime minister recommended the move amid an escalating feud within his Communist Party that is likely to push the Himalayan nation into a political crisis. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli decided to dissolve Parliament at a Cabinet meeting Sunday and immediately presented his recommendation. Oli became prime minister after his Nepal Communist Party won elections three years ago. Oli's party and the party of former Maoist rebels had merged to form a strong communist party to win the election.
Power tussle in Nepal ruling party as China influence grows
Oli could be forced out of office within weeks amid an internal tussle for power within his governing party following his sharp rhetoric on neighboring India and as Chinese influence grows in Nepal. Just this week, China's ambassador to Nepal held meetings with some top Nepal Communist Party leaders. Because there is a Communist government in Nepal, Indian leadership think Nepal is guided by the Chinese, which is not true at all, said Birod Khatiwada, a member of the Nepal Communist Party central committee. Oli was elected prime minister in 2017 after the Nepal Communist Party won a majority of the seats in parliament. But 2 1/2 years after taking power, Oli has shown no signs of stepping down.