The President of Nepal has dissolved Parliament on a recommendation from the Prime Minister, calling for fresh elections to be held over a year early as the country continues to struggle with rising coronavirus numbers.

According to a statement from President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s office, parliamentary elections will be held on April 30 and May 10 in Nepal. A decision it says it reached after an extensive emergency meeting with the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli decided to dissolve Parliament at a Cabinet meeting last Sunday and immediately presented his recommendation.

“The Prime Minister has lost the majority in the parliamentary party, central committee and the secretariat of the party,” said Bishnu Rijal, an NCP central committee member said while speaking to Reuters. “Instead of seeking a compromise within the party, he chose to dissolve parliament.”

Oli became Prime Minister after his Nepal Communist Party won elections three years ago. Oli’s party and the party of former Maoist rebels had merged to form a strong communist party to win the election.

There has, however, been a power tussle with the leader of the former Maoists rebels, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the co-chair of the party. Oli has refused to succeed him as the prime minister or lead the party, causing problems within the party.

The opposition has repeatedly accused Oli’s government of corruption and his administration has faced criticism over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The number of cases in Nepal––a country of about 30 million––has reached 243,184, including 1,777 deaths.

Oli also has been accused of moving closer to China and drifting away from Nepal’s traditional partner, India, since taking over. This has caused problems between Oli and New Delhi.

Dozens of protesters gathered near the Prime Minister’s office, calling the move unconstitutional.