Hark Sampang: When Will Prime Minister Balen Respond in Parliament? Possibility of Disciplinary Action Against Labour Culture Party Leader
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Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has deemed the behavior of Labour Culture Party MPs protesting with placards during the House of Representatives session as “undignified” and issued a warning to amend such conduct. The warning has sparked diverse opinions both in support and opposition.
Following the Speaker’s warning during the previous session, Labour Culture Party Chairman Hark Raj Rai (Hark Sampang) appeared again with placards in the House on Thursday, reiterating the demand that Prime Minister Balen Shah respond to the issues they raised in Parliament.
Speaking in the Parliament, Nepali Congress’s whip recalled how lawmakers from the National Independent Party protested in the past by wearing blue scarves. He questioned the Speaker’s role, urging that to uphold decorum, the Prime Minister be present in the House to respond — essentially calling for ‘ruling’ enforcement.
Experts and analysts are divided on the issue of Labour Culture Party MPs protesting with placards. A former Secretary of the Parliamentary Secretariat acknowledges MPs’ right to symbolic protest, while another emphasizes that Parliament should remain a forum for debate and ideological discussion.
On Thursday, Speaker Aryal met with Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ and drew his attention to the issues raised by opposition parties in Parliament.
The Speaker’s Secretariat stated that Aryal informed the parliamentary procedure consultation committee that he was facilitating dialogue among parties.
However, it remains unclear when Prime Minister Balen will come to Parliament to respond.
Despite discussions with the Speaker, the Prime Minister has not attended House sessions, prompting opposition MPs to surround the Speaker’s chair during Thursday’s second session.
Placard Protests and the Speaker’s Warning
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The newly formed Labour Culture Party, with seven MPs, entered Parliament for the first time following the last election. Its leader Hark Raj Rai regularly raises questions about government policies.
During Wednesday’s House session, Labour Culture Party MPs displayed placards and chanted slogans, demanding that the Prime Minister either answer their questions in Parliament or resign.
Following this, the Speaker publicly criticized the party chairman and MPs for “displaying placards and behaving discourteously,” calling their actions undignified.
The Speaker warned them to amend their behavior and subsequently allowed Rai to express his views in the House.
During his speech, Rai insisted that the Prime Minister must come to Parliament to answer the questions raised by MPs. He questioned why the parliamentary rule requiring ministers to respond within a week was not being enforced.
Despite the warning, Rai appeared again on Thursday with placards, and after showing them while standing, the Speaker allowed him to speak.
He urged the Speaker to ‘rule’ requiring government ministers to be present in the House in order to respond.
“The government must be accountable to the people. Parliament is where public questions are asked; what does it mean if the government does not attend? It is their duty to answer these questions. We strongly oppose any tendency to avoid questions,” he stated.
Nepali Congress Raises Questions Toward the Speaker
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During Thursday’s session, Nepali Congress whip Nishkal Rai questioned the Speaker’s decision and raised the National Independent Party’s prior protests as context, demanding that the government answer MPs’ queries.
Referencing the Speaker’s labeling of Labour Culture Party behavior as “undignified,” he said, “The current ruling party was in opposition yesterday, demanding government accountability while gathering with blue scarves. Then, the Speaker’s chair was held by an opposition member. We considered that parliamentary conduct dignified. So, how is the opposition’s placard carrying now undignified? We conclude that it is both incorrect and undignified.”
Congress MP Rai asserted that the Speaker must maintain the House’s decorum, and the government must assume its responsibility.
“When I possess a two-thirds majority, I do not recognize Parliament — the Prime Minister and government must be made accountable to the House. There should be no restriction on placard protests, whether those protests happened yesterday or today.”
On Thursday’s agenda, Law Minister Sobita Gautam was set to introduce three bills, but the session was briefly adjourned following opposition protests.
Despite continued opposition slogans, the Speaker resumed the second session.
What Powers Does the Speaker Hold?
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The rules of procedure for the House of Representatives (2079 BS) empower the Speaker to warn MPs who engage in unruly behavior to maintain order during sessions.
However, the rules do not clearly define “unruly behavior.” MPs who ignore warnings may be ordered by the Speaker to leave the meeting.
In addition, the Speaker holds authority to expel MPs with decorum, suspend participation for up to three days in the House or committees, or impose other disciplinary actions.
The Speaker may penalize those who disrespect the chair, deliberately disrupt proceedings, or engage in rude behavior by suspending them from meetings for durations ranging from one to fifteen days.
Former Parliamentary Secretary Som Bahadur Thapa, reflecting on the practice of MPs showing placards in Parliament, noted there is no precedent for it and insisted that questions must be asked and answered respectfully.
He stated, “Parliament is a place to respectfully question government policies, programs, and plans. Displaying placards inside is not appropriate. There are other methods of protest, but such actions aren’t conventionally accepted.”
He emphasized the importance of mutual respect during discussions, clarifying, “Even if respect is absent, it is still deemed discourteous. Many words are not parliamentary, and acts of physical violence or vandalism—such as broken chairs or damage during budget presentation—are unacceptable.”
Thapa further advised that parliamentary discipline is crucial; its absence risks eroding public trust in the institution and representatives. Thus, the Speaker must caution MPs against such conduct and has the power to exclude those misbehaving for certain days. Beyond showing placards, permission rests solely with the Speaker. Consequently, the Labour Culture Party is unlikely to push limits excessively.
At What Point Did Placard Protests Become Undignified Behavior?
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Toyanath Bhattarai, former Deputy Secretary at the Parliamentary Secretariat with nearly two decades of service, explained that although the Speaker has the authority to maintain order, the rules do not clearly define what constitutes “undignified behavior.”
“Placards can effectively draw attention, but one must consider their content. Placard display is a form of communication, and no explicit rule prohibits it,” he stated.
He added, “Regarding public morality and conduct, external matters should be judged as undignified only when inappropriate. Those speaking in Parliament must prioritize public issues. When such matters are at hand, it is not proper to deem them rude. The rules are ambiguous on this.”
Bhattarai suggested that in such situations, the Speaker and MPs should seek solutions through dialogue, and if necessary, involve the Committee on Parliamentary Procedures for consensus.
He emphasized that parliamentary practices guide conduct, citing examples where meetings were postponed because ministers were absent. Often, ministries and ministers are reminded to attend and respond after failing to do so.
Although Prime Minister Balendra Shah occasionally attends the House since his appointment, he has not addressed any session to date.
He has faced criticism for leaving the chamber during the President’s presentation of government policies and for not personally answering questions raised during debates.
