KC’s Mediation Proposal Fails to Break Parliamentary Deadlock; House Adjourned for 15 Minutes

Kathmandu — Opposition parties obstructed Parliament on Tuesday over Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s absence, prompting Nepali Congress lawmaker Arjun Narsingh KC to step in with a mediation proposal.

The dispute began after Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle attempted to table a proposal for discussion on the government’s policies and programmes on behalf of the prime minister. Opposition lawmakers immediately objected, insisting that the prime minister must be present in the House.

As opposition MPs rose from their seats and chanted slogans, parliamentary proceedings were disrupted for some time.

Seeking to ease the deadlock, senior Congress leader Arjun Narsingh KC said that while parliamentary practice allows another minister to represent the prime minister in his absence, the prime minister should be present during the response session.

KC said he had observed parliamentary traditions since 1990 and argued that there had been no change in the rule allowing ministers to present proposals on behalf of the prime minister. However, he stressed that the prime minister’s absence during the response phase would have to be taken seriously.

Opposition leaders, however, remained unconvinced.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party chief whip Gyan Bahadur Shahi argued that the prime minister’s presence was mandatory during discussion on the policy and programme. Criticising Shah, he said the head of government should not avoid listening to a programme introduced under his own leadership.

CPN-UML chief whip Ain Mahar also accused the prime minister of repeatedly disregarding Parliament and demanded that the House proceed only after his appearance.

Rastriya Swatantra Party chief whip Kabindra Burlakoti defended the government, saying the prime minister had formally designated Finance Minister Wagle to represent him in Parliament on Wednesday, and urged lawmakers to allow the proposal to be tabled.

Nepal Communist Party lawmaker Yubaraj Dulal also questioned whether Parliament would be deprived of hearing directly from the prime minister, noting that ministers usually represent the premier only when the prime minister is ill or abroad.

Despite KC’s mediation attempt, opposition parties refused to withdraw their protest. The House was eventually adjourned for 15 minutes after the obstruction continued.