Lawyers representing the petitioners on January 17 said the Prime Minister has no power to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR), reports The Himalayan Times. Advocate Bhimarjun Acharya said that the Prime Minister has no power to dissolve the HoR and as per the constitutional provision the House could be dissolved only after exhausting all options listed in Article 76 regarding formation of the Government. Acharya said there were only two conditions under which the HoR could be dissolved — on the expiry of the five-year term of the HoR or when a coalition of parties fails to appoint a PM or the PM appointed by them fails to obtain a vote of confidence. “This does not mean that the PM can recommend dissolution of HoR at his will,” he argued. Advocate Sunil Pokharel wondered how the PM, against whom the HoR could not move a no-trust motion for the first two years, dissolved the HoR in 17 minutes. Pokharel said as per the constitution only the PM formed under Article 76 (5) of the constitution could recommend House dissolution under Article 76 (7).