KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has rejected the idea of using an ordinance to split any political party, stating that such actions are not part of his agenda.

He reminded lawmakers that an ordinance passed under the previous government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba had caused the division of the CPN-UML.

Oli also accused opposition parties of causing confusion by introducing an ordinance aimed at the public during the current government’s question-and-answer session in Parliament on Sunday.

When Barshaman Pun, a lawmaker from the Maoist Center, opposed the ordinance, Oli reminded him that the UML had been divided by an ordinance in 2078 BS.

Oli emphasized that it was not his responsibility to divide or unite any party, making it clear he would not engage in such “petty games” of party splits.

He questioned, “Didn’t they issue the ordinance to split my own party?” and added that he had heard rumors before the ordinance was brought that it was intended to divide the party.

He stated that such matters were not part of his agenda. In response to Maoist Deputy General Secretary Pun’s strong opposition to the ordinance, Oli asked him to recall the events of May 3, 2023.

He reminded Pun that the ordinance was introduced four days before the parliament session began on May 2, 2023, and emphasized that if the issue of authority over the ordinance was in question, that was a separate matter.