Parliament Paralyzed as Opposition Challenges Prime Minister’s Disdain for Protocol

The House of Representatives witnessed a significant obstruction today as opposition parties protested the absence of Prime Minister Balendra Shah during crucial deliberations. The stalemate began when the government designated Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle to respond to inquiries regarding the national policies and programs, leading to multiple adjournments by Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal.

Opposition figures notably channeled their dissatisfaction during the session. Harka Sampang, Chair of the Shram Sanskriti Party, challenged the administration’s accountability, questioning whether the government possessed a leader capable of addressing the House directly. He argued that a Prime Minister who avoids parliamentary scrutiny cannot effectively secure the welfare of the citizenry. Similarly, Gyanendra Shahi of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party criticized the Prime Minister’s reliance on non-traditional communication, stating that “the Prime Minister’s primary duty is to the people’s representatives” and characterizing the absence as a breach of the democratic mandate.

Adding a senior perspective, Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh KC noted that while a representative may technically fulfill duties for a single day, a consistent pattern of avoidance would be unacceptable. He emphasized that activities undermining the legacy and dignity of the House—particularly from a leader holding a popular mandate—risk damaging the institution’s integrity over time.

The current friction follows a widely criticized incident during a joint parliamentary session, where Prime Minister Shah left the hall while President Ram Chandra Paudel was presenting the government’s policies. That walkout drew sharp rebukes from across the political spectrum. Veteran journalist Vijay Kumar Pandey, commenting on the breach of protocol, stated: “The conduct displayed by Prime Minister Balendra Shah in the presence of the President is unacceptable; either the President must reprimand him, or he should step down to preserve the dignity of the Presidency.”

Amidst these developments, Party Chief Rabi Lamichhane appeared as a silent observer to the unfolding tension. As the opposition continues to demand the Prime Minister’s physical presence for executive accountability, the session remains a focal point of debate over the evolving norms of the current administration.