Why is Nepal facing a political crisis again?

Key questions answered as president dissolves parliament and calls a snap poll amid a worsening COVID-19 outbreak.

Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal’s president has dissolved the parliament for the second time in less than six months and scheduled snap elections, prompting court challenges and plunging the country into fresh political turmoil as it battles a “catastrophic” surge in coronavirus infections. With the Supreme Court set to hear petitions against President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s order on Thursday, dozens of people have rallied in main Nepalese cities against what they say is a bid by the head of state to protect Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli’s political career. Oli, 69, had renewed calls for a fresh election after he lost a confidence vote earlier this month.