Kathmandu, Aug. 18: Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who has repeatedly skipped the House of Representatives’ monthly question-and-answer session, will now have to appear in parliament and answer lawmakers in person.
Speaker DP Aryal on Monday directed Shah to attend the House after opposition parties repeatedly demanded his presence. Under the House of Representatives Regulations, the prime minister is required to answer lawmakers’ questions during the first week of every month.
The latest ruling could help break the deadlock. RSP chief whip Kabindra Burlakoti said the Speaker had coordinated with Shah and that the prime minister would attend parliament on August 26.
“Members have been raising this issue for a long time, and it has come to my attention,” Aryal said before issuing the ruling.
The Speaker said every parliamentary party would get at least one question during the direct question and answer session. Up to 15 additional questions will be selected based on the parties’ strength in the House. Lawmakers can submit written questions to the parliamentary secretariat by 1 pm on Friday.
Shah’s absence has been a growing source of friction between the government and opposition. The dispute intensified after his first appearance in parliament on May 31, when he made controversial remarks about the Nepal India border.
Responding to a question, Shah said he had learned after becoming prime minister that Nepal had also encroached on Indian territory in several places. The statement triggered criticism, with opposition parties demanding that he provide evidence, clarify his position and withdraw the remarks.
Opposition lawmakers also objected to the way Shah appeared in parliament, arguing that the session did not follow the regular format for the monthly question and answer programme.
Tensions grew further when Shah skipped discussions on the government’s policies and programmes and designated Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle to respond on his behalf. The issue repeatedly disrupted House proceedings.
“The initiative to resolve the problem is positive,” Burlakoti said, adding that Shah’s busy schedule should not prevent him from attending the House.
A member of Shah’s secretariat said preparations were already under way to collect lawmakers’ written questions and prepare responses.
Nepali Congress whip Nishchal Rai welcomed the ruling, saying Shah should use the opportunity to answer lawmakers and address his earlier border remarks. He said opposition lawmakers had ended their protest because they trusted the Speaker’s office.
Aryal had twice visited the prime minister’s office and urged Shah to attend parliament. According to people familiar with the meetings, Shah said he would appear at an appropriate time but did not set a date.
Former Parliament Secretary General Manohar Prasad Bhattarai said the ruling should not have been necessary had the prime minister regularly fulfilled his parliamentary responsibilities.
The episode has also tested Aryal’s credibility. Opposition lawmakers have questioned whether he has acted independently of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, from which he came to the Speaker’s post.
With Shah now expected to appear on August 26, the House may finally get an opportunity to settle a dispute that has lingered since his controversial May 31 appearance.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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