KATHMANDU: Opposition lawmakers have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Balen Shah after he failed to appear in Parliament to respond to questions raised on the government’s policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year.
The House of Representatives had scheduled discussions on the policy and program from Wednesday. However, controversy erupted after it was announced that Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle would respond on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Opposition parties immediately obstructed parliamentary proceedings, arguing that parliamentary tradition and democratic accountability require the Prime Minister himself to answer lawmakers’ questions.
Lawmakers from opposition parties protested inside the House, chanting slogans and demanding the Prime Minister’s presence.
They accused Shah of avoiding Parliament and called on him to step down if he was unwilling to face the legislature.
The disruption comes amid growing criticism from opposition parties and parliamentary experts, who say the Prime Minister’s continued absence from the House undermines parliamentary norms and weakens democratic accountability.
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