Kathmandu, Dec. 20 -- Prime Minister K P Oli's surprise proposal on Sunday to dissolve the Lower House of Parliament in response to challenge from party rivals has been met with sharp and widespread criticism in Nepal.

Many saw the move as unconstitutional, ill-advised and having the potential to destroy Nepal's hard-won democracy andpush the country over the cliff.Many political leaders, activists and commentators took to social media to say that it was up to President Bidya Devi Bhandari and the Supreme Court to overturn the Cabinet decision.

However, President Bhandari endorsed the recommendation on Monday afternoon itself and announced elections to the Lower House on 30 April and 10 May 2021.

"The 2017 Constitution does not give th...