MP Bista urges result-oriented parliament to restore public trust

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Secretary and Member of Parliament Gokarna Raj Bista has called for the ongoing session of the Federal Parliament to be focused on fulfilling the people’s aspirations for development and prosperity.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Thursday, Bista emphasized the need to uphold the dignity of Parliament and urged political parties and the government to work towards addressing public dissatisfaction. He said, “If Parliament can instill hope among citizens through its actions, it would be a true tribute to democratic values.”

He stressed the importance of disciplined and respectful conduct in the House, and learning from past sessions to make the current one result-oriented.

Highlighting the recurring disruptions and political tensions in Parliament that have disheartened the public, Bista called for collaboration among political parties in the national interest.

He warned that forces aiming to destabilize democracy are exploiting public frustrations and stressed that people now seek tangible development and inclusive growth.

MP Bista also drew attention to critical economic challenges, including low economic growth, poor productivity, a widening trade deficit, rising dependence on foreign employment, and limited access to quality education and healthcare. “Our education system is not aligned with national production needs, and we are not even self-reliant in food security,” he remarked, warning that import-driven consumption is weakening the economy.

He urged the government to introduce a policy and budget for the next fiscal year that directly addresses these structural issues.

Bista also highlighted low capital expenditure, increasing recurrent spending, lack of coordination among the three tiers of government, irregularities in the cooperative sector, and delays in the justice system as major governance shortcomings.

He stressed that restoring public trust in Parliament is only possible if the current budget session focuses on addressing these problems.

Bista further warned lawmakers against engaging in unconstitutional activities and underlined that while debate and dissent are natural in democracy, solutions must be sought within parliamentary norms.

Expressing concern over rising populism and anarchist tendencies, Bista noted, “There’s a growing trend of making sweeping statements without accountability. This has failed to fulfill citizens’ expectations.”

Regarding speculation about the current coalition government’s tenure, Bista said the focus should not be on how long the government lasts, but on how much it delivers for the people and the country.