Opposition Walks Out Over ‘Unlawful’ Budget Presentation in Karnali Assembly

Surkhet – The Karnali Provincial Assembly session on Sunday was disrupted as major opposition parties staged a walkout, citing procedural flaws in the budget-making process. The Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), the Unified Socialist Party, and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party jointly blocked the proceedings.

Speaking during the session, Maoist Centre Chief Whip Krishna Bahadur Jisi alleged that the budget process itself was unlawful and that the presented budget violated the Provincial Fiscal Act. He charged that ministers had become intermediaries in the process, acting as both proposers and approvers of plans.

“Previously, other individuals acted as middlemen—but today it’s clear the government and ministers themselves are intermediaries,” he argued. “The minister is the proposer, he makes the decisions.

Jisi also claimed the government had lost its moral compass. “The government is acting contrary to the law,” he declared. “This budget is itself ‘illegal’.” He further criticized the government for failing to submit the financial survey of the current fiscal year—an essential prerequisite before presenting the budget.

“The government is violating its own laws, so it’s inappropriate to discuss this budget.” He added. 

After the opposition parties obstructed the session, Speaker Nanda Gurung suspended the meeting for half an hour.