KATHMANDU: Opposition parties represented in the House of Representatives have decided to adopt a more aggressive stance against the government, accusing Prime Minister Balen Shah of ignoring parliament and failing to remain accountable to lawmakers.
A meeting of chief whips from opposition parties held at the CPN-UML parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar concluded that protests in the House would continue and intensify in the coming days.
The opposition parties have decided to strongly protest the government’s working style and what they described as the prime minister’s continued disregard for parliament during the upcoming House meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
Speaking after the meeting, UML Chief Whip Ain Bahadur Mahar said serious discussions were held regarding the government’s functioning, its “dismissive attitude” toward parliament, and the role of Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal.
According to Mahar, the meeting also discussed what opposition parties termed as attempts to suppress dissenting voices in parliament and move ahead by sidelining opposition concerns, which they described as against parliamentary norms and democratic values.
Opposition leaders also expressed concern that Speaker Aryal was still behaving “more like a leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party than an impartial Speaker,” according to participants.
NCP Chief Whip Yubaraj Dulal said the meeting seriously discussed Prime Minister Shah’s continued neglect of parliament and his failure to respond to opposition protests and concerns.
The opposition parties also agreed to continue coordination and cooperation in the coming days to safeguard democracy, ensure implementation of the constitution, and uphold parliamentary rules and procedures.
Opposition leaders have been demanding that Prime Minister Shah appear in parliament and answer lawmakers’ questions. While parties had previously launched separate protests, they have now agreed to intensify demonstrations collectively and in a coordinated manner.
The meeting was attended by Nepali Congress Chief Whip Basana Thapa, UML Chief Whip Ain Bahadur Mahar, NCP Chief Whip Yubaraj Dulal, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chief Whip Khushbu Oli.
However, no representatives from Shram Sanskriti participated in the meeting, despite the party being among the strongest critics of Prime Minister Shah and his government.
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