KATHMANDU: Opposition parties, including the main opposition Nepali Congress, have convened a joint meeting at the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party office in Singha Durbar to formulate their next strategy after Prime Minister Balen Shah declined to appear in Parliament and respond to concerns raised by lawmakers.
Political controversy has intensified since Prime Minister Shah’s statement on Jestha 17, in which he claimed that Nepal had also encroached upon Indian territory. Despite mounting criticism, Shah has not agreed to apologize or provide clarification in the House.
During Tuesday’s parliamentary session, opposition lawmakers strongly objected to both the Prime Minister’s remarks and alleged alterations made to the Economic Bill by Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle.
Earlier, Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane had called an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. At that meeting, he reportedly informed leaders that the Prime Minister would not immediately appear before Parliament and suggested that he could respond on Shah’s behalf.
With Shah again absent from Tuesday’s session, opposition parties intensified their protests and began discussions on further parliamentary action.
Following continued obstruction by opposition lawmakers, Speaker D.P. Aryal adjourned the House of Representatives meeting until Wednesday. Disruptions have also continued in the National Assembly, where opposition parties hold a clear majority.
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