KATHMANDU: Opposition parties have continued obstructing parliamentary proceedings, demanding that Prime Minister Balendra Shah appear in the House and clarify his recent remarks regarding Nepal and India’s territorial issue.
On May 31, Prime Minister Shah had made a statement from the parliamentary rostrum suggesting that Nepal had also encroached on Indian territory. The remark triggered widespread criticism and political controversy, with opposition parties arguing that it undermined Nepal’s claim over territories disputed with India.
The main opposition Nepali Congress, along with the CPN-UML, Shram Sanskriti Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepali Communist Party, have been repeatedly obstructing parliamentary meetings, insisting that the prime minister must personally respond to the issue in the House.
Despite the opposition’s demand, Prime Minister Shah has not appeared in Parliament to address the controversy. The government has also remained silent on the issue, leading to further dissatisfaction among opposition lawmakers.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal had appeared in Parliament in June and responded to questions regarding Shah’s statement, but opposition parties said the explanation was not satisfactory.
Opposition lawmakers have accused Prime Minister Shah of avoiding parliamentary accountability by skipping the regular question-answer session and not appearing in the House despite being requested to clarify his remarks.
Even as Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and other lawmakers have attended parliamentary sessions, opposition leaders have criticised Shah for not coming forward to explain his statement.
Speaking during Friday’s parliamentary meeting, Shram Sanskriti Party lawmaker Dhruvaraj Rai sarcastically remarked that people had started questioning the prime minister’s credibility following the controversial statement.
Similarly, lawmakers including Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chief Whip Khushbu Oli suggested that ruling party lawmakers should visit the prime minister and request him to appear in Parliament.
Opposition parties have maintained that the prime minister must be accountable to the legislature and have continued their protest until he provides clarification.
The prolonged obstruction has affected key parliamentary functions, including lawmaking, while the government has faced criticism for failing to address the concerns raised in the House.
Comment