Finance Minister Swornim Wagle Targeted Following Prime Minister Balen; Opposition Calls UML Highly Aggressive
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In Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Finance Minister Swornim Wagle is expected to present various budget-related proposals as per the disclosed agenda.
However, opposition parties have been disrupting parliamentary sessions for a week, pressing the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah to respond, thus casting doubt on whether the meeting will proceed.
According to Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader Barshaman Pun, the opposition is not seeking to halt budget discussions in parliament but wants them to continue without interruptions, ideally for at least an hour non-stop.
He said, “The ruling party is conducting the house proceedings and presenting various positive options to address the issues raised by the opposition.”
Pun shared this during a cross-party meeting convened on Monday morning by Rashtriya Swatantra Party (Raswpa) Chairperson Ravi Lamichhane.
He added that while there were attempts to provide explanations from the Minister of Foreign Affairs or other ministers, the opposition did not accept them.
Positive Steps Toward Consensus?
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He mentioned that although positive options were put forward, no conclusion was reached, leading him to request the Speaker to suspend the session.
But how did he find the meeting positive?
“When the Prime Minister makes a mistake, others should not correct him; rather, we need to listen carefully to what he is trying to say,” Pun explained. “Even if things do not settle, the fact that discussions have started is a positive development.”
Raswpa leader Bipin Kumar Acharya stated that further discussions will bring solutions.
“The way to end parliamentary deadlock in a way that suits all parties is for the government and opposition to sit together and identify measures,” he said. “Dialogue has begun in this direction, and the solution will come out of this process.”
Opposition parties have been obstructing parliament because of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s statement alleging Nepal has encroached on Indian territory.
Should Balen Apologize or Provide Clarification?
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All opposition parties are demanding that Prime Minister Balen answer questions regarding his statement in parliament and remove the statement from official records.
However, there is division among opposition parties on whether an apology is necessary.
Meanwhile, Harkaraj Rai from the Labour Culture Party has called on the Prime Minister to explain where exactly Nepal has encroached on Indian land. Speaking in parliament, he said, “Otherwise, the Prime Minister should address the Nepali people to correct his statement and apologize, but let us never use the word to demand an apology. It is not acceptable for other ministers to come and correct his statements; the words that came from his mouth must be made right by himself.”
NCP leader Barshaman Pun stated that an apology is not necessary, adding, “We trust that the intention behind his words and what he wanted to say are understood.”
On the other hand, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (UML) has taken a more aggressive stance. In Monday’s session, UML MP Padma Aryal urged the Speaker to take the lead in demanding an apology from Prime Minister Balen, saying, “Let the Speaker lead on our behalf, pass a national resolution, summon the Prime Minister to parliament and make him apologize, and remove the statement from the official record.”
Demand for Parliamentary Investigation Against Finance Minister
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Opposition parties blocking parliament due to the Prime Minister’s statement have now also targeted Finance Minister Swornim Wagle.
Opposition is raising objections regarding the amendments made by the Finance Minister in the Finance Bill before it was presented to parliament.
NCP MP Gopal Sharma said, “There is a noticeable difference between the bill presented and the one about to be discussed in parliament. The government should not deceive parliament by making arbitrary amendments. Such unilateral actions are unacceptable.”
UML MP Aryal accused tax evasion harming the state, stating, “Customs settings for BYD Chinese electric vehicles have been manipulated; it is clear there has been fraud.”
Raspa MP Gyanendra Shahi demanded a parliamentary investigation against the Finance Minister, considering the leak of changes in tax rates a serious offense.
“This is an act of treason; there must be a parliamentary inquiry into the Finance Minister,” he said, “Who ordered this? The Finance Minister must answer.”
The Finance Minister Wagle’s participation is listed on the possible agenda for Tuesday’s session of the lower house of parliament.
Analysts suggest the opposition targets him as a strong pillar of the Balen government.
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