PM Oli’s Spain visit sparks row between UML and RSP

KATHMANDU: Heated exchanges erupted in Wednesday’s House of Representatives meeting between lawmakers of the CPN-UML and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) over allegations related to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent visit to Spain.

Tensions flared after RSP lawmaker Sobita Gautam repeated claims that some Nepalis who traveled to Spain under the pretext of attending the UN-organized event, in which PM Oli participated, had not returned, fueling suspicions of human trafficking.

The remarks infuriated UML lawmakers. Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula lashed out at Gautam, accusing her of using the parliament for personal publicity and spreading misinformation.

“Some lawmakers are trying to make the parliament a source of viral gossip,” Bartaula said, indirectly targeting Gautam. “They make baseless claims every day in this chamber, polluting its dignity.”

UML whip Sunita Baral also took aim at RSP, accusing it of turning parliament into a platform for rumors and misinformation.

“Parliament is not a place to spread baseless commentary,” Baral said. She urged lawmakers to speak based on facts and reminded that the prime minister represents the state, not just a party.

Baral also objected to the RSP lawmakers leaving the session after making their statements. “They don’t even have the patience to listen,” she said.

In response, MP Sobita Gautam clarified that she never said individuals accompanying PM Oli to Spain had not returned.

“What I said, and it’s on record, is that there are reports that some people who used the event as a pretext to reach Spain have not returned,” she said.

Gautam accused her critics of misinterpreting her statement and claimed that misunderstanding of the Nepali language was not her fault.

She stood by her demand for a high-level investigation into the visit visa abuse scandal and defended her right to raise the issue in parliament.

The RSP and RPP have been demanding a parliamentary or independent high-level probe committee to investigate the alleged use of visit visas for human trafficking. Both parties boycotted Wednesday’s session after their demands were unmet.