KATHMANDU: Opposition parties have intensified criticism of Prime Minister Balen Shah, accusing him of repeatedly ignoring Parliament and failing to respond to questions raised during the debate on the government’s policy and programme.
Lawmakers from opposition parties said the government must ensure the Prime Minister’s presence in the House of Representatives, warning that protests would continue if he does not respond to queries raised in Parliament.
Speaking during Thursday’s House meeting, opposition MPs stressed that the executive head of the government must prioritise parliamentary proceedings and accountability.
Nepali Congress chief whip Nishkal Rai said Parliament should not be treated as a “tea shop” but as a “university,” borrowing a past expression made by former lawmaker Manish Jha.
He said the Prime Minister should not treat Parliament like a school that can be skipped, adding that ignoring the House reflects a disregard for parliamentary democracy. Rai further warned that the opposition would continue its protest if the Prime Minister does not come to Parliament to answer key questions.
Similarly, Ain Bahadur Mahar of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) questioned whether there was an attempt to promote what he termed a “Balen-tantra” instead of democratic governance.
He accused the Prime Minister of repeatedly disrespecting Parliament and said the head of government must appear in the House to respond to questions raised against the administration.
Meanwhile, Rastriya Prajatantra Party lawmaker Khushbu Oli said democracy is not only about winning elections but also about continuous dialogue and accountability.
She added that the Prime Minister’s presence in Parliament is not merely symbolic but necessary for ensuring accountability, stressing that answering questions raised in the House is a constitutional responsibility of the executive.
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