Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal cautioned Labour Culture Party MPs for speaking without the Speaker’s permission and exhibiting misconduct in the House of Representatives. According to the House rules, the Speaker has the legal authority to warn MPs for misconduct, expel them from sessions, and suspend them. Historically, Nepali MPs have been involved in unruly acts such as vandalism, removing clothing, and slapping ministers. On 22 May in Kathmandu, the Labour Culture Party has been protesting frequently in the House, displaying placards. Seven MPs, including party chairman Harka Raj Rai (Harka Sampang), have opposed the presence of Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) in most budget session meetings. The parliamentary session is currently adjourned until 12 June, but the Labour Culture Party’s protests continue. They demand the Prime Minister adhere to the rules by addressing Parliament formally.
Legally, ministers must respond within seven days to questions raised by MPs during urgent, zero, and special times; however, this protocol is not being followed. Chairman Rai questioned, “Shouldn’t the Speaker compel the government to follow rules? Are the Prime Minister and ministers exempt from these rules?” Labour Culture Party MPs have begun raising questions themselves without adhering to several House rule provisions, criticizing the Speaker for failing to enforce proper conduct among government officials. MPs are mandated to secure the Speaker’s permission before speaking in Parliament. Nevertheless, last Wednesday, Harka Sampang asked questions of the government in rapid succession without obtaining the Speaker’s approval. The Minister of Information and Communications, Bikram Timilsina, responded to the questions. Immediately after, Sampang addressed the Communications Minister directly, again without permission, asking, “When will quality internet service reach the whole country? Why does 2G not even work in areas declared to have 4G service?”
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal was displeased by Sampang’s conduct and reminded him that speaking without permission is against parliamentary decorum. After Minister Timilsina, Youth, Labour and Employment Minister Ramji Yadav took the floor to answer questions. Once Yadav finished responding, Labour Culture Party’s Aren Rai spoke up, but the Speaker stated that no provision for clarification existed. Sampang then rose again, citing that millions of youth are working abroad and argued that if Labour Minister is not questioned on related issues, then who else should be asked? The Speaker reminded Sampang that he had issued rulings several times, stating, “I have ruled three times already. Please keep to decorum.” Sampang refused to comply. Consequently, the Speaker referred to Rules 20, 21, and 30 of the House Code of Conduct, officially classifying the behavior of Sampang and other Labour Culture Party MPs as misconduct.
