RPP lawmaker Lama refuses to speak as Finance Minister abruptly exits parliament session

KATHMANDU: Tensions rose as Finance Minister Barsaman Pun abruptly exited the meeting, leaving members puzzled and frustrated during a session of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) found itself at odds with the proceedings, particularly after the Finance Minister’s departure.

As discussions swirled around budget priorities and principles for the upcoming fiscal year, the presence of the Finance Minister was paramount.

However, just as the RPP lawmaker was poised to address the meeting, Minister Pun opted to leave, sparking objections from the RPP.

Deputy Speaker Indira Rana attempted to assuage the situation, informing the RPP MP that the Finance Minister would return shortly.

Yet, this assurance failed to pacify the RPP’s concerns about fairness and discrimination in the proceedings.

Despite Deputy Speaker Rana’s encouragement to proceed with her speech in the Finance Minister’s absence, RPP lawmaker Lama took a principled stance, refusing to speak until the Minister returned.

The impasse persisted until the Finance Minister re-entered the session, prompting RPP lawmaker Lama to finally address the assembly, albeit after a stand against what the party perceived as prejudicial treatment.