KATHMANDU: Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has said he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Balen Shah following mounting criticism over the Prime Minister’s continued absence from Parliament.
Speaking during the second sitting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the Speaker made the remarks after opposition leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe raised concerns about the Prime Minister’s health condition and absence from the chamber.
Angdembe said opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress, had allowed the government’s policy and program to be tabled in Parliament out of respect for the Speaker’s role, but insisted that Shah must now personally attend the discussion.
“We allowed the policy and program to be tabled out of respect for the Speaker’s dignity,” Angdembe said. “But the Prime Minister must now come to Parliament. Discussions cannot move forward until he appears.”
In response, Speaker Aryal said he preferred first to understand the Prime Minister’s situation before issuing any formal ruling.
“Rather than immediately issuing a ruling from here, I am going to communicate with the Prime Minister and understand his condition,” Aryal said. “After today’s meeting, I will meet him personally and discuss the matter. Further decisions will be taken after understanding the full situation.”
The Speaker also urged opposition lawmakers to allow parliamentary discussions to continue, noting that the Prime Minister had already delegated Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle as his representative in the House.
Aryal added that the proceedings of Parliament were being closely observed nationally and internationally and appealed for cooperation in moving the session forward.
Comment