KATHMANDU, Nepal — Eight political parties represented in Nepal’s recently dissolved House of Representatives said Saturday that the dissolution was unconstitutional and demanded its immediate reversal.

In a joint statement, the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), Janata Samajbadi Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, and Janamat Party argued that the decision undermined the Constitution and devalued the people’s mandate.

President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the 275-seat parliament on Friday shortly after appointing former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, 73, as interim prime minister.

The step came in the wake of youth-led “Gen Z” protests that toppled KP Sharma Oli’s government, with demonstrators demanding, among other things, the parliament’s dissolution. Elections have been scheduled for March 5.

The parties, however, cited Article 76(7) of the Constitution and Supreme Court precedents, saying the move “not only undermines the people’s mandate but also strikes at the very supremacy of the Constitution.”

They added that the demands of protesters should be addressed through an institution elected by the people.

At least 51 people were killed and many others injured during mass protests this week, initially triggered by a ban on social media platforms before evolving into a broader movement against alleged corruption and nepotism among Nepal’s political elite.

Demonstrators targeted residences, the Supreme Court, and other public buildings during the unrest. — Agencies