KATHMANDU: Lawmakers from the ruling Nepali Congress have strongly objected to a statement made by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Sumana Shrestha in the House of Representatives, accusing an NC leader of illegally occupying government-owned land in Tarakeswar, Kathmandu.
Speaking at the house on Wednesday, Shrestha claimed that a Nepali Congress leader had encroached on government land at plots number 62 and 63 at Loktantrik Chowk in Tarakeswar Municipality-9, located in Kathmandu area number 6.
She further alleged that the local government had not taken any initiative to protect the land despite complaints from residents.
Following Shrestha’s remarks, Nepali Congress lawmakers immediately stood up and protested, accusing her of making irresponsible allegations without verification. They demanded that her statement be removed from the record.
Adding to the controversy, another RSP lawmaker, Shishir Khanal, also accused the Nepali Congress leader of occupying the cemetery of the Newar community at the same location. He criticized the local government for failing to address the community’s grievances and protect the land.
The allegations led to a heated protest from Nepali Congress MPs, including Rajendra Bajgain, Sushila Thing, and Santosh Chalise, disrupting the parliamentary meeting for a while.
In response, Speaker Devraj Ghimire intervened, urging lawmakers to ensure their statements are backed by evidence. He called on Nepali Congress MPs to take their seats, emphasizing that a procedural resolution should be found to address the dispute. The meeting resumed shortly afterward.
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