KATHMANDU: Opposition parties in the House of Representatives have intensified pressure on the government over the past few weeks, with repeated demands for greater accountability from Prime Minister Balen Shah.
The situation has been particularly driven by the Shram Sanskriti Party, led by Chairperson Hark Raj Rai (Harka Sampang), which has been strongly protesting against the Prime Minister’s working style and demanding his resignation.
The party has also staged what is described as the first-ever parliamentary protest involving pamphlets and placards inside the federal parliament. Lawmakers continued the same style of protest on Thursday as well, insisting that the Prime Minister must either come to Parliament and answer questions or step down.
Rai argued that a Prime Minister who is not accountable to Parliament should pave the way for an alternative leadership.
Following Wednesday’s protest, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal had warned of possible disciplinary action, stating that such activities violated parliamentary rules. However, protests by the Shram Sanskriti Party have continued.
On Thursday, tensions in the House escalated further as CPN-UML lawmakers also joined criticism of the government. Lawmakers, including Ain Mahar and chief whip Yubaraj Dulal, accused the Prime Minister of bypassing Parliament and undermining the legislature.
Opposition lawmakers strongly objected after Speaker Aryal allowed only one minute for speaking time, further escalating the dispute in the House.
Lawmakers said the Prime Minister has repeatedly avoided parliamentary proceedings, including not attending sessions to present bills, which they termed a disregard for constitutional accountability.
During the heated exchange, Speaker Aryal accused opposition lawmakers of violating parliamentary decorum, while also expressing frustration over their continued interruptions.
UML chief whip Ain Mahar argued that the issue is not only procedural but related to the government’s intent, accusing it of ignoring Parliament and the mandate of the people.
Other lawmakers including Shram Sanskriti Party’s Sampang and Rastriya Prajatantra Party lawmaker Khushbu Oli also jointly demanded the Prime Minister’s presence in the House, further reflecting growing tensions between the opposition and the government.
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