KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balen Shah has come under intense criticism from opposition parties and parliamentary experts after deciding not to personally respond to questions raised in the House of Representatives on the government’s policy and program.
The Prime Minister’s Secretariat confirmed that the responsibility of replying to lawmakers has been delegated to Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle.
“There is an agenda for Finance Minister Wagle to respond to the questions raised on the policy and program in Parliament,” Prime Minister’s press adviser Deepa Dahal said.
The move has triggered outrage across both opposition and some ruling circles, with critics arguing that the parliamentary system envisioned by the Constitution requires the government — especially the Prime Minister — to remain directly accountable to the people through Parliament.
Balen Shah, who was appointed Prime Minister on Chaitra 13 during the Ram Navami festival, has yet to address Parliament publicly since assuming office. Opposition leaders say his repeated absence from the House amounts to evading democratic accountability.
“If the Prime Minister cannot answer questions in Parliament, it is not appropriate for him to remain in office,” said Ramesh Malla of the Nepali Communist Party.
“If the Prime Minister refuses to appear in Parliament, we too will not attend the House. This is the height of disorder and an attack on democracy,” he added.
Under long-established parliamentary practice in Nepal and other parliamentary democracies, the Prime Minister traditionally responds to concerns raised by opposition lawmakers during discussions on the government’s policy and program.
However, Shah’s decision to skip the session altogether has prompted opposition parties to warn of parliamentary obstruction if he fails to appear.
Leaders from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), Nepali Congress, Nepali Communist Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Shram Sanskriti Party have reportedly informed Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal that they are prepared to jointly obstruct proceedings if the Prime Minister remains absent.
“The Prime Minister adopting a practice never seen before is an attack on democracy and republicanism,” said Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe.
“We will not listen to answers delivered by unrelated individuals. We will fight for parliamentary dignity, democratic norms, and the rights of the people,” he said.
The controversy has also placed the Speaker under growing pressure. According to parliamentary sources, opposition leaders have repeatedly contacted the Speaker, warning that they will surround the House chamber if the Prime Minister does not attend.
A source close to the Speaker said efforts were underway to persuade Shah to appear before Parliament.
“Parliamentary tradition requires the Prime Minister to respond personally. The parliamentary secretariat is also preparing to formally communicate that this norm should not be broken,” the source said.
Reports also suggest that Speaker Aryal held telephone discussions with Rabi Lamichhane regarding the issue, although neither the Speaker’s Secretariat nor party officials formally confirmed details of the conversation.
Despite mounting criticism, individuals close to the Prime Minister say Shah is neither ill nor physically unable to attend Parliament, but has instead chosen not to appear.
The controversy deepened after Shah left the House midway through President Ram Chandra Poudel’s presentation of the government’s policy and program on Sunday. Shortly afterward, political adviser Asim Shah claimed the Prime Minister was unwell, but later deleted the statement.
Parliamentary affairs expert Rajendra Phuyal said it was “unimaginable” for a Prime Minister to avoid answering questions on the government’s policy and program.
“In parliamentary practice, the Prime Minister is the leader of the House and must personally respond,” Phuyal said. “The policy and program is a central document guiding governance and the budget. Avoiding Parliament in such a situation is beyond imagination.”
He warned that refusing to appear in Parliament would amount to neglecting constitutional responsibility and disrespecting the public mandate.
“Governments are accountable to the people through Parliament under our constitutional system,” he said. “The Prime Minister should not become so irresponsible as to avoid this duty.”
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