KATHMANDU: The opposition Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) continued to obstruct the House of Representatives on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the controversial visit visa case.
As the House session began, RSP lawmakers surrounded the Speaker’s rostrum in protest. Speaking during the time allocated by Speaker Devraj Ghimire, RSP lawmaker Hari Dhakal reiterated that the party would not allow Parliament to function until their demands are met.
“Our movement will continue until the Home Minister resigns and an investigative committee is formed,” Dhakal said from the House floor. He criticized the government for failing to address their concerns and accused Home Minister Lekhak of ignoring the voices of ordinary people.
Dhakal also raised issues of alleged corruption in immigration, the arbitrary transfer of civil servants, and the appointment of unnecessary staff at the airport, stating the Home Minister had not provided satisfactory responses to these concerns.
Meanwhile, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) also boycotted Thursday’s House session. Lawmakers from both RSP and RPP stood in protest as the session began, prompting the Speaker to give time to Dhakal to express his party’s position.
RPP chief whip Gyanendra Shahi joined the chorus of criticism, calling the visit visa controversy a national issue that transcends party lines. “This is a common concern for all parties. We call on everyone to unite on this matter,” he said.
Shahi warned the government not to force the Speaker to run the House amid protests and reaffirmed that the RPP would continue its boycott until a probe committee is formed.
Despite the uproar, the House moved forward with its scheduled agenda, leading RSP lawmakers to surround the rostrum and chant slogans, while RPP members walked out of the session in protest.
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