Opposition Parties Demand Additional Time to Review Proposed Chief Justice’s Work Plan and Complaints
May 19, Kathmandu — Opposition parties have requested more time to study the proposed Chief Justice’s work plan and related complaints. During today’s hearing committee meeting, opposition members highlighted the need for additional time. Communist Party leader and committee member Barshaman Pun noted that the decision was broadly known from the outset and suggested completing the process before moving forward. He stated, “We are not here just to disagree with the executive’s decision. The Constitutional Council includes all three branches and the opposition as well. Accordingly, let us complete the process before proceeding. We should not delay the work, but we should allocate some time for thorough study.”
He cited an example of a policy program being approved in a single day and emphasized that the Chief Justice’s detailed work plan for the next six years should also be carefully reviewed. “Therefore, let us conduct a proper study today and start the hearing from tomorrow morning. If there is a majority, it can be approved without any issues,” he added. UML leader and committee member Padma Aryal also expressed concerns that finalizing all matters in one day without ample discussion could raise questions and that rushing work may lead to opacity. She remarked, “Before the meeting, I had expected that complaints would be distributed today, with study and discussion planned for another day, followed by hearings. But we were told everything would be finalized today. Why the rush?”
Emphasizing the importance of hearing complainants’ grievances and allowing sufficient time for understanding, she said, “Hasty and opaque decisions can undermine the committee’s dignity.” She proposed that complaints received today be studied tomorrow, Wednesday, with discussions the day after. Approving everything rapidly in one day could provoke questions about the executive’s decisions. Committee member Premprasad Dangal also called the hearing process too fast and urged extra time to study the proposed Chief Justice’s work plan. “Meeting the complainants at 10 a.m. and a hearing at 1:30 p.m.—this pace is very fast, as if complainants are standing in line,” he said. “Chairperson, we need time to study the complaints and review the Chief Justice’s work plan. Let’s convene the meeting at 7 a.m. tomorrow.” Another member, Narbahadur Bisht, voiced dissatisfaction over the hurried process and suggested renaming the committee as the Approval Committee. “What kind of rush is this? What kind of new practice is this? Is this a new norm where anything goes?” he questioned. “Calling it the Approval Committee would be more appropriate.”
