The move triggered deep political unrest and street protests in the Himalayan nation as it grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, and left the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on the verge of a split. "I think the Chinese have come to assess the overall situation after the dissolution of parliament and virtual break-up of the Nepal Communist Party,” said Narayan Khadka, a senior leader of the opposition Nepali Congress party. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal was not immediately available for comment. Bishnu Rijal, a central committee member of the NCP, said the Chinese official was expected to meet Oli and his opponents. Oli has said that internal squabbling and a lack of cooperation from his party paralysed decision-making, forcing him to seek a fresh popular mandate.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 27, 2020 12:45 UTC