Labour Culture Party demands PM Balen Shah’s resignation over border remarks

Kathmandu – The Labour Culture Party has expressed objection to Prime Minister Balen Shah’s remarks regarding the Nepal-India border dispute and demanded his resignation.

On Tuesday, the Labour Culture Party, led by Harkaraj Rai, organized a warning assembly at Shanti Batika in Kathmandu, calling for Prime Minister Shah’s resignation.

Speaking at the assembly, leader Santosh Rai accused Prime Minister Shah of hurting the sentiments of all Nepali citizens by stating that Nepal has also encroached on India’s border. He criticized the Prime Minister’s statement on the border issue, saying it undermines the prestige of the sovereign nation of Nepal and injures the self-esteem of proud Nepali citizens.

Rai remarked that it was contradictory for Shah to have displayed the map of Greater Nepal in his office as the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, only to express a different stance on Nepal’s land and border issues after becoming Prime Minister. He urged Shah to publicly apologize or resign, stating that his comments were an attack on national interest and pride.

He said, “We are here to strongly condemn the statement made by the Honourable Prime Minister in the respected House, claiming that Nepal has also encroached on India’s border. We are here to draw his attention to correct himself. His statement on the border issue has angered all Nepalis and lowered the head of sovereign Nepalis. While he displayed the map of Greater Nepal as the Mayor of Kathmandu, as Prime Minister, he seems to be handing Nepal over to India, which we strongly oppose. Nepal is a sovereign nation, and he has dealt a severe blow to the prestige and honor of sovereign Nepali citizens. He should resign in front of the public at the same place where he made the statement. If he cannot do so, he should resign.”

Prime Minister Shah, while addressing the House of Representatives on Sunday, made a controversial statement that not only India but also Nepal has encroached on India’s land. Opposition parties have been obstructing the federal parliament’s session over this issue.