Speaker Aryal Rules Against Questioning the Government

Kathmandu – Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has instructed opposition parties to cease questioning the government led by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Balendra Shah (Balen).

Speaker Aryal issued a ruling to opposition MPs to stop questioning the Prime Minister’s statement that “Nepal has also encroached on India’s border” and the government’s actions. Opposition parties have been persistently raising this issue in Parliament, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Shah or its removal from the parliamentary record. On Thursday, as soon as Parliament began, MPs from the opposition parties, including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN, Labour Culture, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, stood in protest.

After they requested time to speak, Speaker Aryal allowed them to speak but decided to let only one representative speak as all their points were similar. Previously, one representative from each opposition party was given time to speak at the start of the session.

He stated, “For a long time, honorable members from the opposition bench have been drawing attention to the same issue. Listening to everyone, the subject matter remains the same in the end. Therefore, to maintain decorum and manage time, I request honorable members from the opposition bench to have one representative speak and help move today’s session forward.”

Following this, Speaker Aryal gave time to Congress MP Harina Devi Kami from the opposition. She reiterated her objection to the Prime Minister’s controversial statement, emphasizing that answers to questions raised about the government and the Prime Minister should be given in Parliament, not from party platforms. Kami stated that while a majority forms the government in a democracy, no majority is greater than Parliament.

“Seeking answers outside Parliament weakens parliamentary practice. We are not trying to topple the government. We are trying to guide the government on the constitutional path. We want respect for the position of the Prime Minister, not disrespect for the person. However, respect should be based on accountability, not silence,” Kami said. “Nepal-India relations are extremely important for us. Therefore, every word spoken on sensitive issues like the border should be based on responsible facts and national consensus, not emotions. Mature diplomacy serves the nation’s interest.”

After Kami, the opposition again requested time to speak. This time, Aryal gave time to UML MP Yashoda Kumari Baral. However, before that, he again suggested that the opposition change their style of protest and stop questioning the government.

Speaker Aryal said, “As I requested the honorable members, now the style of protest should also focus on specific issues. It is not good for the Speaker to have to repeatedly remind you not to deviate from the topic. Therefore, when protesting, stay within the topic for which the protest was initiated, and it will justify itself. This is my request to all honorable members from the opposition bench.”

UML MP Baral also expressed objections to the Prime Minister’s statement and the government’s actions. She reiterated that despite seeking answers from the Prime Minister for 40 days, they have not received any, nor has the issue been removed from the parliamentary record. She complained that while the ruling party’s issues are addressed, the opposition’s repeated concerns on the same topic are ignored.

“The statement has neither been removed from the parliamentary record, nor has a ruling been made, nor an apology offered. When will this issue be resolved by Parliament, honorable Speaker? Is this regulation only for the opposition? If so, please write in the documents from the honorable ministers to the honorable Prime Minister that this is only for the opposition and not for the ruling party. Otherwise, please make a ruling on this issue through the honorable Speaker,” Baral said.

MP Baral also raised issues regarding the government’s treatment of squatters and the repainting of public buses. “I want to ask the government some questions. Are squatters not citizens? Do they not have the right to live? Does handing them 25,000 rupees and pushing them onto the streets violate human rights?” she asked. “Is repainting the buses blue meant to operate in all 77 districts and 753 local levels, or is it just for show on Facebook walls to gain popularity in 100 days?”

As MP Baral continued questioning the government, Speaker Aryal interrupted, urging her to “enter the subject matter” and avoid digression.

Aryal said, “I had previously drawn attention when giving time to the honorable member. Let’s enter the subject matter, speak only on the subject. Let’s maintain the decorum of the session, as the subject matter has already been introduced, honorable member, please take your seat.”

Despite the Speaker’s ruling, MP Baral did not stop. She claimed she was speaking on the subject matter and expressed objections to the government’s actions.

Baral further stated, “I have spoken on the subject matter, honorable Speaker, please give me some time. I am trying to draw attention to the government. Are these actions meant to gain popularity within 100 days, like mushrooms sprouting, or are they for sustainable development? I want to ask the government and the concerned authorities.”

Aryal was elected Speaker after being elected from RSP in the last election.