KATHMANDU, Dec 24: India on Thursday said that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s move of dissolving the House of Representatives and declaring snap polls is an internal matter of Nepal.
As the first country to come up with an official reaction to Oli’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives, India said that it is up to Nepal to decide as per its democratic process.
“We have noted the recent political developments in Nepal. These are internal matters for Nepal to decide as per its democratic process,” Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said during a regular press conference on Thursday.
Srivastava said, “As a neighbour and a well-wisher, India will continue to support Nepal and its people in moving forward on the path of peace, prosperity and development.”
The Oli government on Sunday recommended the President to dissolve the House of Representatives and schedule fresh general elections for April 30 and May 10.
Nepal’s northern neighbour China hasn’t spoken about Oli’s move publicly, but its ambassador has been meeting Nepali leaders following the dissolution of the House and the escalation of the strife within the ruling party.
Oli’s decision to dissolve the House has resulted in a split in the Nepal Communist Party, which was led by Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal since May 2018. Both Oli and Dahal are now claiming control of the party.
Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi on Tuesday met President Bidya Devi Bhandari, and on Thursday, she met with Dahal. (Source: The Kathmandu Post)
