Balen Shah’s Ordinance Controversy: Opposition Parties Pressure Prime Minister Amid Ravi Lamichhane’s Support
As reports emerged about multiple ordinances being recommended to the President, the government led by Balen Shah has been drawn into intense debate and controversy. A joint meeting of opposition parties, led by the main opposition Nepali Congress, has expressed unified objections to the ordinances. The President’s office has stated that the ordinances are under review. The government has not formally disclosed details regarding the recommendation or content of the ordinances.
However, during the announcement of the opposition meeting’s decisions, Nepali Congress parliamentary leader Bhismraj Angdembe revealed that on Baisakh 14, ordinances related to the Constitutional Council and Cooperative Act, and on Baisakh 15, ordinances concerning the Health Science Academy, several Nepal legal amendments, and university matters were recommended. He added that the meeting resolved to urge the President not to approve these ordinances. Speaking as the parliamentary leader of Congress, Angdembe labeled the government’s actions as “undemocratic and an insult to the sovereign parliament.” He also questioned, “Why is there distrust towards the majority within its own party?”
Responding to the opposition’s protests, while the Prime Minister has defended the ordinances, the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) has also rebutted the opposition’s allegations. Amidst public dissent from a Raswapa lawmaker concerning the ordinances, party chairman Ravi Lamichhane has come out in defense of the government’s steps. Clarifying the purpose of the ordinances, he stated, “Until the unnecessary partisan divisions and wrongful appointments of the past are corrected, the people’s expectations from this government cannot be fulfilled.” Lamichhane highlighted that previous governments introduced ordinances to split parties or suppress the opposition, whereas the current ones have been recommended for ‘necessary reforms.’
Addressing criticisms directed at Prime Minister Balen for allegedly displacing squatter communities without alternatives, Lamichhane emphasized that the government is actively working to responsibly manage outreach and resources. “The government takes responsibility for the food, shelter, clothing, and employment opportunities of all homeless citizens,” he said on behalf of the government. He added, “No squatter will be left homeless by the government, and suggestions for necessary coordination are welcome. However, unnecessary politicization should be avoided.”
