KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has come under intense criticism after displaying what many described as undignified conduct during the presentation of the government’s annual policy and program in the Federal Parliament on Monday.
The controversy deepened on Tuesday after the main opposition Nepali Congress formally demanded clarification from the prime minister over his decision to leave the House while President Ram Chandra Paudel was still presenting the government’s policy and program for the fiscal year 2026/27.
During the joint session of the Federal Parliament on Monday, President Paudel presented the government’s annual policy and program on behalf of the government. However, Prime Minister Balen’s conduct throughout the event drew widespread criticism from politicians, commentators, journalists, and social media users across the political spectrum.
Observers noted that the day of presenting the policy and program is considered one of the most important occasions in Nepal’s parliamentary calendar. Critics alleged that Prime Minister Shah attended the session wearing attire that did not conform to the expected national dress code observed during such state functions.
His behavior while handing over the policy document to the president also sparked debate. Critics said the prime minister placed the document on the table and walked away before President Paudel had fully risen from his seat.
The controversy escalated further after Balen left the parliamentary session while the president was still delivering the address.
Many commentators described the incident as unprecedented in Nepal’s parliamentary history.
Following public backlash, political advisor Asim Shah attempted to defend the prime minister, claiming in a Facebook post that PM Shah had briefly left due to health discomfort and needed rest. However, the post was later deleted after social media users criticized it as misleading.
Leaders from both republican and monarchist camps criticized the prime minister’s conduct.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa, who has long advocated for the monarchy, said disregarding national attire could not be interpreted as reform or revolutionary behavior. He also stated that the prime minister’s absence during the president’s presentation and farewell ceremony could not be considered normal.
Similarly, Gyanendra Shahi, parliamentary party leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, remarked that the prime minister’s departure from Parliament while the president was still present raised questions about whether he himself disagreed with the government’s own policy and program.
Former journalist and political figure Rabindra Mishra also criticized Shah’s conduct, describing it as anarchic. He argued that disorder could become more dangerous than corruption and said republicans were now left embarrassed by the situation.
TV presenter Bijaya Kumar Pandey commented that the president should either caution the prime minister over his conduct or resign to preserve the dignity of the office.
Former journalist Narayan Wagle went further, publishing a lengthy article titled “Intoxicated Prime Minister” in which he questioned whether Parliament had become a stage for Balen Shah’s theatrics. Wagle also warned that if Balen’s political style continued to be driven by impulsiveness, it could pose a threat to democracy.
Gen-Z campaigner Tanuja Pandey said PM Shah could no longer continue with what she called a reckless style, urging him to respect public mandate and constitutional norms. She stated that state systems operate through procedures and institutional dignity, not personal swagger.
Social media influencer Dil Nishani Magar also mocked the prime minister, commenting that people who belonged in rehabilitation centers were now occupying Singha Durbar.
Meanwhile, lawmakers and supporters of several opposition parties, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) and other parties, also criticized the prime minister’s behavior.
The issue was raised formally in Parliament on Tuesday after opposition lawmakers stood in protest immediately after the House session began.
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal then allowed Nepali Congress chief whip Basanta Thapa to speak.
Thapa said Monday’s incident was perhaps one of the rarest scenes witnessed in the history of Nepal’s democratic parliamentary practice.
She stated that the prime minister leaving the chamber while the president was presenting the government’s policy and program was not merely an ordinary incident, but one that contradicted constitutional culture, parliamentary tradition, and state responsibility.
“Dignity is greater than position, and public trust is greater than dignity,” she said while demanding a clear explanation from the prime minister.
She also urged the government to respect constitutional offices and avoid weakening parliamentary traditions.
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