Dispute Continues As Prime Minister Refuses to Answer in Parliament; Minister’s Response Deemed Insufficient by Opposition
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Prime Minister Balendra Shah, also known as ‘Balen’, has maintained his stance of not responding to opposition parties in the parliament concerning his recent statements, resulting in no progress to resolve the week-long parliamentary obstruction as of Monday.
Leaders reported that Prime Minister Shah has signaled through party chairman Ravi Lamichhane and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle that his representatives will not provide clarifications in the parliament.
On Monday, the Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Ravi Lamichhane, convened an all-party meeting at Singha Durbar where party leaders were invited to offer suggestions on government functioning.
During the meeting, opposition parties demanded the Prime Minister’s response regarding his statement that “Nepal has also encroached on India’s land,” urging correction of his remarks. The opposition has been obstructing parliamentary proceedings in both houses for over a week, demanding the Prime Minister retract his statement.
“This is a very serious matter, so the Prime Minister himself must come to parliament and respond,” said Janata Samajbadi Party leader and UML Chief Whip Ain Bahadur Mahar, who attended the meeting.
Following the Foreign Minister’s response in parliament, Lamichhane indicated that the Prime Minister would only appear to answer if absolutely necessary, as shared by Mahar.
Earlier, during a discussion in the National Assembly last Wednesday, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle had also indicated that the Prime Minister would not come to respond. According to Congress Parliamentary Party leader Kamala Pant, the ministry of foreign affairs’ clarification was considered official by the finance minister.
“The concerned minister has represented the government in providing explanations, and it is the government and the Prime Minister who should respond,” said Burlakoti after the all-party meeting.
Alternative to Resolution Motion
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Opposition parties have not agreed to the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s proposal. Consequently, during the subsequent House of Representatives session, opposition parties maintained their obstruction, preventing progress with the regular agenda.
“We do not accept hearing from other ministers or the Foreign Minister to correct the Prime Minister’s statements; it must come directly from him,” said Harkraj Rai, chairman of the Labor Culture Party, who did not participate in the all-party meeting.
“Our demand is that the Prime Minister himself retract and correct his own words.”
Earlier, CPN-UML’s Secretary Padma Aryal proposed the option of passing a resolution motion in the parliament.
“This concerns 30 million Nepalese citizens; it’s a matter of common interest. Therefore, let us amend the mistake in this honorable house. We must unite and not take sides in matters of nationalism,” she said.
“We request the honorable Speaker of the House to lead this effort. Let us pass a national resolution motion and have the honorable Prime Minister appear in parliament to apologize and retract the statement.”
Suggestions Provided by Political Parties Regarding the Government
According to Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, opposition parties in the meeting referenced Prime Minister Shah’s remarks on border issues in parliament and advised the government to be more cautious in diplomatic matters.
“Early signs of loss of control and balance have been observed, which is not desirable, and the government should pay attention,” he explained. Highlighting concerns about the priority given in appointing the Chief Justice, Lingden warned the ruling party’s leadership about attempts to disrupt the balance among the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches.
Mohammad Khalid, National Assembly MP from the Janata Samajbadi Party, noted that Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Lamichhane expressed willingness to open channels for cooperation and dialogue with other parties.
Discussion on India Visit
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Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Ravi Lamichhane also briefed party leaders about his recent visit to India.
Opposition parties did not send their top leaders to the all-party meeting convened by Lamichhane at Singha Durbar.
The Nepali Congress sent party leader Bhismraj Andembe, UML sent Chief Whip Mahar, and the Nepal Communist Party included leader Madhav Kumar Nepal among others.
During the meeting, Lamichhane described his India visit as “successful,” which Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Lingden also confirmed.
“You called the all-party meeting after your visit, but it would have been better if called before. Foreign affairs are not just about political parties or government; maturity is essential,” Lingden said.
“The Prime Minister’s comments in parliament and the party chairman’s statement to Indian leaders that past burdens are not carried by this government are controversial, and such words should be avoided.”
Lingden warned that such statements could undermine the continuity of previously positive relations.
According to UML leader Mahar, during the meeting, Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman was questioned regarding the report of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG)—formed by Nepal and India to offer suggestions on boundary issues—which was reportedly misunderstood by India.
“We inquired whether it was coordinated for the party chairman to travel to India the day after the Prime Minister’s statement in parliament, but an adequate answer was not provided,” Mahar said.
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