KATHMANDU: CPN-UML leader Bamdev Gautam has reiterated the need to make constitutional arrangements for the National Assembly members to pick a Prime Minister if they wish so.

Stating that the NA is an important organ of the Federal Parliament, he said that the upper house should endorse a proposal in this regard.

He also urged the upper house to seek the provisions to pass the budget from there.

Attending the special hour of the NA session Sunday, leader Gautam said, “If the NA considers it necessary and accepts my proposal in this regard, we should pass it today itself. Finance Minister will speak out a budget speech for the next fiscal year. May we get a chance to pass budget from here.”

The NA member further reminded that the NA holds respect no less than the House of Representatives (HoR) and it has representation of the whole nation.

“Currently, the HoR is out of its business. Why the NA, an integral organ of the Federal Parliament, should accept budget presented outside the parliament? Budget should be presented here,” he argued, commenting that budget lacks a draft of socialism, a key feature of the UML.