Even as the deadline for parties to register with the Election Commission is fast approaching, a new political storm is brewing.

CPN-UML, the second largest party in the dissolved House of Representatives, has reiterated its demand for House reinstatement while terming the interim government “unauthorised” to conduct the elections.

While political parties have until November 26 to register with the commission both as a party and for the purpose of participating in the March 5 parliamentary elections, the UML is still questioning the legality of the interim government, adding to the uncertainty about the elections.

An interim administration led by Suhila Karki was formed in early September after Gen Z protesters ousted the government led by UML chair KP Sharma Oli.

After being appointed prime minister, Karki recommended that President Ramchandra Paudel dissolve the House of Representatives and announce new elections. The President acted on the government’s recommendation.

Oli insists that Karki’s appointment as prime minister is unconstitutional as it doesn’t go by the constitutional provision that one must be a member of the lower house to be the prime minister. President Paudel appointed her despite the fact that she was not a lawmaker, under ‘special circumstances’.

Addressing the party’s mass meeting on Saturday, Oli questioned the incumbent government’s authority to conduct the elections.

“You [Karki] do not even have the authority to conduct the elections,” Oli charged.

He also accused the former chief justice of rising to power on the back of arson, loot, and chaos.

“The individuals in the government themselves are unauthorised as this government was formed out of violence and disorder,” Oli said.

The party, which has publicly ruled out joining elections under the Karki government, decided to mobilise the party’s rank and file from the grassroots to the central level—purportedly to rejuvenate the organisation in the aftermath of the September revolt.

It organised meetings and rallies in wards across the country on November 8; in all 753 municipalities on November 11, and at the district level on November 15. As its culmination, it convened a mass gathering in Kathmandu on Saturday, which the party dubbed a “show of strength”.

Despite Oli questioning the authenticity of the government, the party is positive about contesting elections, said a UML leader. The question of a breach of the constitution during government formation is certainly there, but this does not mean the party will shy away from the election, the leader said.

“Our party is particularly concerned about the environment for the election. This government has failed to create the right climate for it,” Yogesh Bhattarai, a secretary of the party, said.

“Questioning the government for its failure to create a conducive election environment does not mean we will shy away from the polls.”

Bhattarai said they will register the party with the Election Commission within the given deadline.

Although our party chair has questioned the formation of the government on legal grounds, he too has not said that the party won’t contest the election, Bhattarai claimed.

But not all UML leaders buy his argument.

Mahesh Basnet, a party leader close to Oli, claimed that the party will not participate in the election process.

“We still believe that the interim government won’t be able to hold the election and there are questions on the government over its formation, so our party won’t participate in any of the election procedures,” Basnet told the Post. “Instead, we will go to the Supreme Court demanding House reinstatement.”

Oli, addressing the gathering, said that the demands of Gen Z can be addressed by restoring the House, claiming the restoration to be the only way forward.

“If the House is restored, we can form an all-party, all-side government, and necessary constitutional amendments can be carried out. If some issues cannot be resolved, then let us amend the constitution with everyone’s consent,” Oli proposed. “Only the restored House will pave the way to address Gen Z’s demands.”

He stressed that there is no alternative to restoring the House.

On November 18, a meeting of the UML decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court against the House dissolution.

Addressing a meeting of political parties registered with the Election Commission, Prime Minister Karki on November 19 said that demanding House restoration would undermine the democratic process and lead the country to more instability.

She reinforced the government’s commitment to holding timely elections and urged political parties to engage constructively in the electoral process.

But a clash between Gen Z youths and UML cadres in Simara of Bara on November 20 has raised concerns over poll security.

Election is the right way to bring the derailed political process back on track, says a political analyst.

Nepali Congress, the largest party in the dissolved House, on Saturday officially decided to go to the polls. This will lead the UML to contest the election as well, said Krishna Pokhrel, a professor of political science.

“In today’s UML, the leadership cannot decide everything. I also do not think the party will stay away from the elections when all other major parties have decided to contest them,” Pokhrel said.

“The party is making provocative statements to activate its cadres. The demonstration by the party on Saturday itself is a part of its election campaign.”