Speaker Aryal warns lawmakers against criticizing him in Parliament session

Kathmandu – Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has warned lawmakers not to criticize him in Parliament.

Opposition parties have been obstructing Parliament over Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks concerning geographical integrity. After opposition lawmakers stood up in protest and questioned Aryal, he issued the warning.

Despite repeated requests from Speaker Aryal to proceed with the session, opposition lawmakers have insisted they will not allow the session to continue until the Prime Minister apologizes for his irresponsible remarks. Questions were raised about Aryal’s role after he allowed ruling party lawmakers to speak amid the opposition’s obstruction.

Even though the lawmakers have not relented, Speaker Aryal directed them to refer to Rule 21 (b) of the House of Representatives Regulations 2083. The rule states, “Except during discussions on a motion that the Speaker has not conducted himself in accordance with the dignity of his position, criticism of the Speaker’s conduct is not allowed.”

The opposition parties continued their protest on Tuesday over the Prime Minister’s remarks.

As soon as the House of Representatives session began, opposition lawmakers stood up, demanding, as before, that the Prime Minister come to Parliament and apologize. On Jestha 17, Prime Minister Balendra Shah made a controversial statement claiming that Nepal had also encroached on India’s border.

Opposition parties, including Congress, CPN-UML, Labor and Culture, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, have been protesting, demanding the withdrawal of the controversial statement. Due to the opposition’s obstruction, the House of Representatives meeting has been postponed until Wednesday.