Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa had recommended mid-term elections to the King after his own party, the RPP, tried to remove him by signing a no-confidence motion. On the same day that he dissolved the parliament and recommended mid-term elections, 96 UML and RPP MPs registered a petition at the Royal Palace demanding a special session of the House of Representatives.

Prime Minister Thapa had recommended announcing mid-term elections, citing his special right, while the UML had insisted on a special session, saying that the Prime Minister was in a minority. UML had also prepared to bring a no-confidence motion against Thapa.

King Birendra was confused about whether to dissolve the parliament and hold mid-term elections or call a session. That is why he had sought the opinion of the Supreme Court regarding the recommendation made by Prime Minister Thapa 6 days ago. After the recommendation made by the Prime Minister on 24 Poush 2054 and the petition filed by the parties including the UML on the same day reached the Supreme Court, the parties expressed dissatisfaction with the role of the King. Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Bishwanath Upadhyay also responded that it was not necessary to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on this.

However, Article 88, Clause (5) of the Constitution of Nepal 2047 provided that the King could seek the opinion of the Supreme Court to clarify complex legal questions related to constitutional or any other legal interpretation. The constitution stated that if the King's opinion was sought, the Supreme Court would have to submit a report. In addition, there was a constitutional provision that the full bench of the Supreme Court should hold a public hearing and decide on the opinion report sought by the King. It was said that the King sought the opinion based on that.

The King had also consulted with stakeholders including former Prime Ministers, opposition party leaders, and legal experts. Although the King immediately implemented the recommendations of the previous Prime Ministers Girija Prasad Koirala and Manmohan Adhikari to dissolve Parliament and hold a mid-term election, this time legal consultation was sought. Three years after the mid-term election, another mid-term election was recommended.

After the 2048 parliamentary election, a mid-term election was held three and a half years later, and since it was recommended again this time too, there was a strong argument that such activities would lead to political instability. Thapa had again written to the King, citing the legal provisions, stating that the special powers of the Prime Minister should be implemented. Thirty hours after Thapa sent the letter, the King sought the opinion of the Supreme Court. This raised questions about the role of the King. Legal experts, however, expressed concern that the Supreme Court might reinterpret the powers of the Prime Minister and the King.

In the meantime, the King had met Prime Minister Thapa several times. After the meeting with the king, 105 lawmakers were seen in favor of the Prime Minister's move at the meeting of the ruling party called by Thapa. At that time, 103 lawmakers were needed to form the government. 89 from the Congress, 11 from the Thapa-led RPP, 3 from the Nepal Sadbhavana Party and 2 from the NEMKIPA were in favor of Thapa. Even if the no-confidence motion was passed, the Thapa side claimed that the UML would not have enough seats to form the government.

Objections from parties

Political parties had objected to the King seeking an opinion from the Supreme Court. The Nepali Congress had called His Majesty's decision surprising. The RPP had explained that the Prime Minister's authority had been taken away by saying that the King had not implemented the recommendation.

The UML had responded that it was not necessary to seek an opinion. Congress General Secretary and Spokesperson Taranath Ranabhat had suggested to the King to look at the Supreme Court's precedent in case of 'confusion' regarding the provisions of the Constitution. RPP leader and Minister Kamal Thapa had argued that there should be no restrictions on the Prime Minister as he has the right to make recommendations.

UML General Secretary Madhav Nepal had demanded that a special session be called without seeking the opinion of the Supreme Court. He had accused Prime Minister Thapa and Congress President Girija Prasad of threatening the King. General Secretary Nepal had said that they had threatened the King to hold mid-term elections. UML leader Jhalanath Khanal had said that it was natural for the King to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court.

Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Chairman and MP Narayan Man Bijukchhe had said that it was natural for the King to hold mid-term elections as per the Prime Minister's recommendation.

Kantipur published a news report on the third mid-term election recommendation after the political changes of 2046 and the King's request for an opinion from the Supreme Court after complications arose in its implementation on 1 Magh 2054 under the title 'Shri 5's recommendation for mid-term elections and Supreme Court's opinion sought on the opposition's petition'. On the same day, it also published news that the parties criticized the King's move.