A meeting of the opposition parties has concluded that the Oli government has pursued a very imbalanced and irresponsible foreign policy, which is hampering Nepal’s relations with its neighbours.

Due to the immature foreign policy conduct, relations with neighbors have deteriorated and become very complex, according to leaders of the Nepali Congress and Janta Samajbadi Party.

Similarly, the opposition parties have also taken exception to the Oli government’s sudden decision to prorogue the House at a time when dozens of bills were awaiting parliamentary endorsement.

“The meeting concluded that Nepal is facing difficulties while maintaining good relations with its neighbours due to the government’s immature foreign policy,” said Bimalendra Nidhi, Congress vice-president.

Top leaders of the Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party had gathered at Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha to discuss a wide range of issues.

“We discussed the contemporary political situation, the government’s decision to prorogue the House, its foreign policy conduct and its poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic among others,” said Nidhi.

As pressure mounted on him from his own party leaders to resign, Oli on Thursday decided to prorogue the House. The House prorogation means Oli the opposition faction in the party cannot bring a vote of no confidence against him. In the meantime, a lack of House session provides Oli ground to introduce an ordinance if he wants to split the party.

Oli was under pressure from his own party leaders to resign both as prime minister and party chair.

“The prime minister prorogued the House to save his post. This is unfortunate,” Rajendra Mahato, a Janata Samajbadi Party leader, told the Post. “We are deeply concerned over the sudden prorogation of the House which was the only avenue for the opposition parties to raise people’s voice.”

Oli has faced criticism for proroguing the House without consulting the opposition parties, with some legal experts describing the move as an attack on the constitutional principles.

“We deplore the government's decision to prorogue the House with consulting the opposition parties,” said Nidhi.