KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has persisted in obstructing parliamentary proceedings, demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane’s alleged involvement in a cooperative fraud case.
The budget session of the parliament, which commenced on Friday, failed to proceed smoothly and was adjourned until Tuesday.
In the upcoming joint session of both the upper and lower houses of parliament scheduled for Tuesday, President Ram Chandra Poudel is expected to present the government’s policies and programs.
During Friday’s meeting, the Nepali Congress prevented Home Minister Lamichhane from addressing queries raised by opposition parties.
Amidst slogans and further obstruction, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire had no choice but to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday.
This action by the main opposition party has raised three major questions:
Firstly, when will the parliamentary obstruction cease if the government refuses to establish a parliamentary committee to investigate Home Minister Lamichhane’s involvement in the cooperative fraud case?
Secondly, will the party permit President Poudel to present the government’s policies and programs in the next meeting? If not, what precedent will this set for parliamentary practices?
Thirdly, what if the government is compelled to introduce the budget through an ordinance due to the NC’s ongoing obstruction?
These concerns should be addressed by the government, not by us: Mahat.
Responding to the first question, Nepali Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat stated that the obstruction will persist until the government forms a probe committee to investigate the case.
Dr. Mahat also suggested that the party may prevent President Poudel from delivering the government’s policies and program if their demands are not met.
Regarding the third question about the government introducing the budget through an ordinance, Dr. Mahat indicated that it is a challenge for the government to handle.
Currently, the party is deliberating on these issues.
The Nepali Congress has called for a meeting of the working committee of the parliamentary party and a parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss matters concerning parliamentary obstructions.
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