Prime Minister Balendra Shah: Parliament’s Ease Diminishing as ‘Balen’ Remains Silent
Image source, PMO
Following Wednesday’s agenda for the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ was expected to respond in parliament.
The Prime Minister was to present a proposal to start policy-based discussions and reply to the questions raised during that process.
Social media saw responses like “If he is to speak, it should be Balen.” However, that enthusiasm was short-lived. While the House meeting began, the Cabinet meeting was still underway inside Singha Durbar.
During an impromptu moment, Congress parliamentary party whip Nishkal Rai reminded Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal that their party leader had sought the Prime Minister’s presence in Tuesday’s House meeting.
“The situation remains the same today; the Honorable Prime Minister has not appeared in the House,” Rai requested. “Therefore, through the Speaker, I earnestly request an immediate ruling to summon the Prime Minister to the House.”
‘Where is the Prime Minister?’: Opposition Questions During Meeting
Image source, rss
Although the Cabinet meeting concluded, Prime Minister Balen did not attend the parliamentary session. By then, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle was present. Speaker Aryal permitted him to present the proposal to initiate the discussion on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Shortly after, opposition MPs disrupted the meeting, insisting they would not allow it to proceed without the Prime Minister’s presence.
“Is anyone preventing the Prime Minister from coming here? Where exactly is he? First, the House should know all these matters,” said UML MP Guru Prasad Baral. “If there is a valid reason why the Prime Minister cannot attend, he should designate a person to present the proposal.”
Image source, RSS
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) parliamentary leader Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi also urged the Speaker to issue a ruling to compel the Prime Minister to be present, arguing there cannot be any other task more important than attending parliament.
“Disregarding such a significant policy discussion, where else could the Prime Minister be busier than here? If the Prime Minister cannot listen to the discussion on the policy he presented, then who brought this forward?” said MP Shahi.
“There is nothing more important than this.”
Congress MP Arjun Narasingh KC pointed out that parliamentary rules do not prohibit the Prime Minister from designating a minister to present the proposal and urged permission for that.
However, as the debate and dispute intensified, Congress parliamentary leader Bhishma Raj Aangdembe suggested suspending the meeting temporarily to resolve the obstruction.
Seeing the Prime Minister’s Face?
Image source, rss
Speaker Aryal suspended the meeting for 15 minutes. The session started later than scheduled, progressing after the opposition agreed to let Finance Minister Wagle present the proposal.
However, Congress parliamentary leader Aangdembe insisted on a ruling from the Speaker for the Prime Minister’s mandatory presence to answer the questions raised during the discussion, leading to prolonged debate.
The parliamentary rules state, “Answers to questions shall be given at the end of the discussion by the Prime Minister or, in his absence, by a minister he has appointed.”
RSP Chief Whip Kavindra Burlakoti argued that the discussion should proceed based on this provision.
During the suspension, Burlakoti said the agreement was to allow the discussion to continue accordingly, adding, “Either it is indeed a situation where the Prime Minister’s presence is essential, or else the mixed perspective of allowing proposal presentation but not permitting discussion is unnecessary.”
“Society wants to hear the speech; will he remain silent for five years?”
Image source, RSP
Speaker Aryal, citing the rules, requested the opposition to refrain from obstructing proceedings. However, when they did not comply, the meeting was again suspended.
Maoist Centre MP Yubaraj Dulal legally argued that the Prime Minister’s absence cannot be tolerated.
“Are we to understand from the rules that the House cannot hear the honorable Prime Minister’s voice for five years?” he said. “Not just us, but the whole public and society are keenly waiting to hear the Prime Minister’s voice.”
He cited Article 76(10) of the Constitution, which states that “The Prime Minister and ministers shall collectively be responsible to the Federal Parliament.”
“Is this provision being ridiculed somewhere?”
Prime Minister Shah has also not been seen attending meetings of his own party, Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Speaker Aryal has assured consultation with the Prime Minister following the policy and program discussion.
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