Understand the Opposition: Half of the Population is Represented by the Opposition Bench, Says Nepal Communist Party
News Summary
Prepared after review.
- Chief Spokesperson of the Nepal Communist Party, Yubaraj Dulal, urged the Prime Minister not to consider himself above the Constitution and to be accountable to Parliament.
- Dulal stated that according to parliamentary rules, the Prime Minister must deliver an obligatory address from the parliamentary podium.
- He criticized the government’s approach of forcefully passing bills despite opposition protests and warned against arrogance of majority rule.
May 25, Kathmandu – The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has urged Prime Minister Balen Shah not to consider himself above the Constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the party during a special session of the House of Representatives, NCP Chief Spokesperson Yubaraj Dulal emphasized that the Prime Minister, born from Parliament, must be accountable to it. Dulal appealed to the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswpal) to inform the Prime Minister in Parliament that he is not above the Constitution.
Dulal insisted that the Prime Minister should stand and address the Parliament’s podium, at least for a minute.
“If the Prime Minister is considered above the Constitution, then that should be officially communicated to this house by the government. Our party wants a response through the Speaker. If not, since the Prime Minister is elected by this Parliament, he must address it. Even if for just a minute, the Prime Minister must come to the podium and stand,” Dulal said.
He also noted that Shah is the Prime Minister of even the opposition.
Dulal argued it is their right to request that the Prime Minister respect the house within the boundaries of the Constitution and parliamentary rules.
He challenged the government to directly send bills passed under majority power, despite opposition objection, for Presidential certification through the Speaker.
“A few days ago, a bill on alternative finance was passed amid opposition disruption. Even some ruling party MPs could not contribute to its passage. Important bills should be passed only after debate and argument in Parliament. If the government simply assumes majority presence suffices to pass any bill, then why do we need to sit here collecting allowances? After all bills are passed, the Speaker would simply send them to the President. What is the meaning of following this procedure?” Dulal questioned.
He criticized the ruling party for selectively applying parliamentary rules for convenience, neglecting provisions that require the Prime Minister’s presence during question hours.
Dulal challenged Rastriya Swatantra Party, saying if the Prime Minister attending Parliament breaches the Constitution or law, they should raise the issue.
“If rules require the Prime Minister to speak in the house, we have done nothing wrong. If it is a mistake, please inform us through the Speaker. We want to understand how we can summon him,” Dulal said. “Anyone who uses Rule 38(1) of the House Rules must fulfill the duty under Rule 61(1). Isn’t seeking that answer in Parliament legitimate?”
Dulal reminded that although the ruling party holds a majority in the house, the opposition has received votes from half of the population.
“In parliamentary systems or democracy, majority does not necessarily represent the true majority. Currently, the ruling party holds a majority, which we acknowledge. Similarly, the Parliament must understand that those representing half the population should be present on the opposition bench,” he stated. “In an electoral system, both majority and minority have representation. The opposition represents half of Nepal’s citizens, and their voice must be valued. It is about respecting the voice of all Nepalis.”