KATHMANDU: After being reinstated by the nation’s Supreme Court, Nepal’s parliament began a session on Sunday that will likely determine the future of the prime minister and the government.

The split in the ruling Nepal Communist Party has left Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli without the majority of votes in parliament required for him to continue in office. Oli so far has refused to step down and is determined to continue.

A vote of no confidence against Oli is likely to be brought by the splinter group from his own party, which would force him to step down. The group has not yet made a formal decision.

Oli would have to get the support of other political parties in parliament in order to stay in power. The process could take days, leaving an unstable political situation in the country.

Oli had the president dissolve parliament in December and announce fresh elections after the rift in the party. Last month, the Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of parliament in response to several cases filed with the court charging that Oli’s decision to dissolve the legislature was unconstitutional.

Since parliament’s dissolution, there have been regular street protests against Oli by tens of thousands of people in Kathmandu and other cities.

Oli became prime minister after the party won elections three years ago. His party and that of former Maoist rebels had merged to form a strong Communist party to win the elections.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2021