KATHMANDU: Nepali Communist Party leader Barshaman Pun has said opposition parties remain committed to the regular functioning of Parliament but insist that Prime Minister Balen Shah must clarify his controversial remarks on nationalism, sovereignty and border issues.
Addressing the House of Representatives on Monday, Pun said opposition parties have consistently objected to statements made by the prime minister during a question-and-answer session in Parliament, particularly those concerning national sovereignty and territorial issues.
“On behalf of the entire opposition, we have expressed disagreement and opposition to the prime minister’s remarks. We especially object to the serious statements he made regarding the nation, nationality, national sovereignty and border issues,” Pun said.
He added that the opposition has been demanding clarification from the prime minister on the intent behind those remarks.
“We have been asking what exactly the prime minister meant and what message he intended to convey. He must explain that to the House,” Pun said.
The Maoist Centre leader also called for the disputed remarks to be removed from the parliamentary record, arguing that the issue cannot be resolved without a clear response from the prime minister himself.
Referring to the all-party meeting held earlier in the day, Pun said discussions among political parties had been positive and constructive.
However, he stressed that further dialogue would be necessary to break the current parliamentary deadlock.
Pun urged Speaker of the House to temporarily suspend the meeting to allow political parties additional time to build consensus and create an environment conducive to ending the obstruction.
His remarks come as opposition parties continue to disrupt House proceedings, demanding that Prime Minister Shah personally address concerns over his statement that Nepal had also encroached on Indian territory.
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