The primary opposition Nepali Congress has demanded that the government summon the House session immediately.

A meeting of the working committee of the Parliamentary Party of the Nepali Congress on Friday concluded that the government must summon the House session without delay and withdraw the controversial ordinance related to the Constitutional Council Act.

The KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday issued an ordinance related to the Constitutional Council Act (Functions, Duties and Procedures), amending some clauses for calling the Council meeting and taking decisions, effectively rendering the presence of the leader of the opposition unnecessary. The Oli government’s move has met with widespread criticism.

“The Oli government has shut down the House which is the only legitimate platform for the elected representatives to express their views on behalf of the people,” the party said in a statement. “By not calling the House, the government has undermined the role of people's representatives and made light of Parliament.”

The Oli government prorogued the budget session of the House on July 2. In the last more than five months, the Oli government has been issuing ordinances, which the Congress party has described as actions not suited in a parliamentary system.

The main opposition’s Parliamentary Party has also asked the Oli government to withdraw the ordinance on the Constitutional Council.

Though a meeting of the Standing Committee of Oli’s Nepal Communist Party on Wednesday instructed him to withdraw the ordinance, he has not done so.

According to ruling party leaders, Oli at Wednesday's Standing Committee had agreed to withdraw the ordinance. Instead, Oli on Thursday called a meeting of the Constitutional Council only to call it off later after his talks with Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the other chair of the party, and intimation from the chief justice, who is also a member of the Council, about his inability to join in the meeting.

A Cabinet meeting held on Thursday evening, however, did not discuss anything about revoking the ordinance.

“The participation of the leader of the opposition in Council meetings is envisioned by the constitution to ensure checks and balances,” said the Congress party. “By issuing an ordinance that disturbs the balance of power guaranteed by the constitution, the Oli government has made an unconstitutional move. This should be withdrawn immediately.”