KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has objected to the ruling coalition’s attempt to portray its ongoing protest and parliamentary boycott as undemocratic.
Speaking at the outset of Friday’s House of Representatives meeting, RSP lawmaker Nisha Dangi defended her party’s movement, which began on May 27, saying it was a legitimate and formal expression of dissent within a democratic system.
“I strongly object to the government’s attempt to depict our protest and boycott as an act against democratic practice,” Dangi said. “Boycotting Parliament is not unconstitutional. It is a recognized and formal method of registering disagreement within democracy.”
She further argued that today’s ruling parties themselves had repeatedly used similar tactics when they were in the opposition. “What we are doing now is not new. The very parties that are now in power resorted to the same methods time and again in the past,” she added.
Dangi also reiterated that the RSP’s protest remains focused on the ongoing controversy surrounding visit visas.
Following her remarks, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Anisha Nepali also spoke, confirming her party’s support for the protest. After addressing the House, lawmakers from both RSP and RPP walked out, continuing their boycott of the session.
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