KATHMANDU: Balen Shah has continued to stay away from Parliament despite mounting pressure from opposition parties demanding his response in the ongoing budget session.
The budget session, which began on May 11, has repeatedly witnessed obstruction from opposition lawmakers calling for the Prime Minister’s presence in the House. However, Shah has neither attended parliamentary proceedings nor responded to lawmakers’ concerns during discussions on the government’s policies and programs.
Although the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is located just minutes away from the Parliament building in Singha Durbar, Shah has reportedly avoided attending the House, citing work pressure. Sources claim he instead follows parliamentary proceedings live from his office.
The issue has also drawn criticism toward Dol Prasad Aryal, with opposition leaders and political analysts questioning why the Speaker has not issued a ruling to ensure the Prime Minister’s presence in Parliament.
Parliamentary affairs expert Haribahadur Thapa said the Speaker plays a key role in making the Prime Minister accountable to the House, adding that the current parliamentary practice differs from past precedents.
Political analyst Sanjeev Humagain also argued that the ongoing standoff has increased public frustration, saying the Speaker, Prime Minister and opposition parties all share responsibility for resolving the deadlock.
Opposition intensifies protest
Shram Sanskriti Party, led by Harka Sampang, has been staging continuous protests in Parliament, demanding the Prime Minister’s response.
The party has repeatedly called for Shah’s resignation, arguing that a Prime Minister unwilling to answer Parliament has no moral ground to remain in office.
Other opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Communist Party, have also been demanding the Prime Minister’s appearance in the House.
Shram Sanskriti Party chief whip Aren Rai said the opposition was not asking merely to “see the Prime Minister’s face” in Parliament, but demanding constitutional accountability.
Similarly, Nepali Congress whip Nishkal Rai said the Prime Minister must answer lawmakers in accordance with constitutional and parliamentary provisions.
Speaker met PM after House obstruction
Thursday’s parliamentary meeting was disrupted after opposition lawmakers surrounded the well of the House, forcing Speaker Aryal to suspend proceedings for 15 minutes.
Following the disruption, Aryal reportedly visited the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar to meet Shah. Sources said the Prime Minister was already aware of the Speaker’s visit and had been watching the parliamentary proceedings live on television.
During the meeting, the Speaker informed Shah about the continuous obstruction in Parliament. In response, Shah reportedly said he was accountable to Parliament and would answer lawmakers “someday,” though no date was specified.
Speaking during a meeting of the parliamentary advisory committee, Aryal reportedly said he had already conveyed to the Prime Minister that it was becoming difficult to run the House amid continued obstruction.
Nepali Congress chief whip Basana Thapa accused the Prime Minister of trying to move ahead while avoiding parliamentary accountability.
“We did not call the Prime Minister to Parliament merely to see his face,” Thapa said. “We asked him to respond in accordance with constitutional provisions during the first week of the month.”
Uncertainty over PM’s attendance
The next meeting of the House of Representatives is scheduled for May 26. Opposition parties are reportedly preparing fresh protest strategies if the Prime Minister again fails to appear.
Under constitutional provisions, the government is set to present the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 on May 29. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is scheduled to present the budget.
Officials at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said there is no confirmation yet regarding Shah’s attendance in the House on Jestha 12 or during the budget presentation.
However, leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party said Shah is likely to attend the House on the day the budget is presented, though they believe he still may avoid answering lawmakers’ questions.
Questions over political dialogue
Opposition leaders have also admitted they have not directly sought a meeting with the Prime Minister, claiming access to him remains difficult.
One opposition lawmaker said there is concern that the Prime Minister may refuse to meet leaders he does not wish to engage with, making direct dialogue politically uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said no opposition leaders had formally requested a meeting so far.
Parliamentary expert Thapa argued that the Speaker could play a more active mediating role by calling all-party meetings, facilitating dialogue between ruling and opposition parties, or issuing a direct ruling for the Prime Minister to attend Parliament.
He also described it as unusual for the Speaker himself to visit the Prime Minister’s office, noting that traditionally prime ministers visited the Speaker when necessary.
Political analyst Humagain stressed that both the government and opposition must engage in dialogue to prevent further public frustration.
“Politics should reassure the people,” he said. “The Prime Minister should appear in Parliament and answer questions to restore public confidence.”
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