House of Representatives Session Postponed for 15 Minutes Due to Opposition Disruption
News Summary
Prepared After Review.
- The House of Representatives session on April 14 in Kathmandu was postponed for 15 minutes.
April 14, Kathmandu – The House of Representatives session was postponed for 15 minutes amid disruptions by opposition members. Opposition MPs demanded that Prime Minister Balendra Shah himself be present to respond to the policy and program matters, leading to disruptions in the assembly.
When Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle prepared to answer questions raised on the policy and program on behalf of the Prime Minister, opposition MPs stood up and disrupted the session.
Following this, Speaker D.P. Aryal gave time to senior opposition leader and coordinator Basana Thapa to make a statement. She reiterated the demand for the Prime Minister’s presence. The opposition objected after Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle was set to respond to the questions on the policy and program on behalf of the Prime Minister.
“We have remained silent and attentive all day, fulfilling the role of the opposition responsibly. When it’s time to answer the discussion on the policy and program, where is the Prime Minister?” she asked. “This itself is disrespectful to the Prime Minister, and we want the ruling party to ensure that the Prime Minister must respond without ‘if’ or ‘but’. Unless the Prime Minister is present, our disruption will continue,” she stated. Similarly, CPN-UML lawmaker Ain Mahar said that the Prime Minister should at least be present to answer.
Moreover, CPN’s Yubaraj Dulal expressed that although the opposition patiently facilitated the assembly’s proceedings throughout the day, the ruling party ignored that consideration. Aren Rai from the Labor Culture Party urged that the Prime Minister should appear to address complaints by even the ruling party MPs. Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Gyan Bahadur Shahi added that the Prime Minister is expected to respond to policy and program queries, not just to deliver a speech in the assembly.
As opposition continued its disruption, Speaker D.P. Aryal requested an environment suitable for receiving answers from the minister, noting the discussion had concluded. Due to ongoing disruptions, the Speaker announced the session would be suspended for 15 minutes.
