The investigation committee formed regarding the scuffle between ruling and opposition MPs on May 30 has emphasized the necessity for the Speaker to “strictly” enforce the provisions of the House of Representatives’ rules of procedure. The committee recommended that the Speaker immediately exercise special privileges, according to information provided by the Speaker’s personal secretary, Navaraj Pandey. The committee’s conclusion states, “When disrespectful” and “provocative” language is used, such expressions should be removed from the records of the House of Representatives and the members responsible should be expelled from the session in accordance with the rules of procedure. It appears essential that the Speaker enforce these rules rigorously.
The committee suggested that MPs, the Federal Parliament Secretariat, and the Speaker must take seriously the full compliance with the code of conduct and rules outlined in the House of Representatives’ rules of procedure. The committee found that the incident on May 30 involved violations of parliamentary decorum, weaknesses in enforcing the rules, a lack of restraint, and challenges in management. To investigate this incident, the Speaker had directed the formation of the inquiry committee during the House session on May 31.
The parliamentary session on May 30 was repeatedly adjourned due to scuffles between ruling and opposition MPs. When the session started, the Prime Minister requested time and raised his hand; as soon as the Speaker granted permission, MPs Yubaraj Dulal of the Communist Party of Nepal and Ain Bahadur Mahara of the CPN-UML objected, citing a violation of Rule 56 of the House of Representatives’ Rules of Procedure, 2026 BS (2020).
According to the committee report, within 5 hours and 53 minutes of the meeting’s start, all opposition MPs had stood up from their seats in protest. The Speaker had given MP Basana Thapa of the Nepali Congress time to speak, but even after she finished, opposition MPs continued their protest. After six hours, MPs from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party stood up from their respective seats and protested, while other opposition members surrounded the Speaker’s chair. This was followed by chanting slogans and continued encirclement of the chair.
