MPs demand removal of PM’s border remark from Parliament record

KATHMANDU: Tuesday’s House of Representatives meeting witnessed heated exchanges as multiple lawmakers demanded the removal of Prime Minister Balen Shah’s alleged statement claiming that “Nepal has also encroached on India’s border,” calling it sensitive, controversial, and harmful to national sovereignty.

Harka Raj Rai Demands Withdrawal of Statement

Shram Sanskriti Party chair and MP Harka Raj Rai objected strongly to the Prime Minister’s remark, urging that it be deleted from parliamentary records. He stressed that the statement was against national integrity and should be corrected in Parliament.

Rai also raised concerns over flooding in border areas, claiming reports that India’s high dam constructions on the Lal Bakaiya and Bagmati rivers near Gaur, Rautahat, were causing inundation in Nepali territory.

He further highlighted long-standing land ownership disputes:

• Citizens living for 85 years in Rajbiraj, Saptari, were still demanding land ownership certificates while protesting for a month.
• Around 70 bighas of land residents continue to pay municipal taxes without receiving land ownership documents.

He also raised the case of 64 bighas in Ramdhuni–7, Sunsari, where locals have lived for 66 years without receiving land ownership certificates and alleged that fake landowners were being created to harass residents.

Calling for investigation, he said “agreements that flood our territory to protect a neighbor are anti-national,” and demanded government action. He also urged the Home Minister to address long-standing protests at Maitighar Mandala.

Rekha Kumari Yadav Calls for Secret Ballot

Nepali Congress MP Rekha Kumari Yadav demanded that Parliament resolve the controversy through a secret ballot and insisted that the Prime Minister must personally come to the House and clarify his statement.

She criticized the Foreign Minister’s response, saying it was insufficient and evasive.

Yadav questioned who would take responsibility if the Prime Minister’s remarks triggered activities along border areas, citing tensions in Susta where Nepali citizens reportedly had to confront Indian border forces.

She reiterated that only the Prime Minister, not ministers, should respond to his statement, and called for direct accountability in Parliament.

Opposition Demands Apology and Record Removal

Opposition MP Pramesh Hamal described the Prime Minister’s remarks as “anti-national,” demanding withdrawal of the statement, a public apology, and its removal from parliamentary records.

He warned that opposition protests would continue until demands were met and urged Speaker D.P. Aryal to issue a ruling to end the deadlock.

Hamal also expressed confidence in the Foreign Minister’s China visit, saying it could strengthen Nepal–China relations.

UML MP Tukabhadra Hamal Criticizes Government

UML MP Tukabhadra Hamal also demanded that protests would continue until the Prime Minister’s statement is corrected and removed from records.

She accused Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle of threatening opposition parties by claiming he would “open files” of past cases. She challenged the minister to take action if he wished, but condemned what she called intimidation tactics.

She stressed that the government belongs to both ruling and opposition parties, not just the ruling side.

RPP MP Saraswati Lama Echoes Demand

Rastriya Prajatantra Party MP Saraswati Lama also demanded removal of the Prime Minister’s remarks, calling them against national interest.

She urged the Prime Minister to correct his statement in Parliament and stressed that such sensitive issues should not be spoken irresponsibly by the head of government.

UML Chief Whip Raises Security and Humanitarian Issues

UML Chief Whip Ain Bahadur Mahar raised concerns over the alleged coordinated attack on Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Shailesh Singh in Dhangadhi. He said Singh was attacked by 7–8 individuals after returning from a party provincial convention and was robbed of his laptop, mobile phone, watch, and gold chain.

He warned that such incidents reflect rising lawlessness and demanded government action while wishing for Singh’s speedy recovery.

Mahar also raised the death of Deepak Dhami from Bझaṅg in Osaka, Japan, who had gone abroad for study and work after taking a loan. He urged the government and Foreign Ministry to coordinate repatriation of the body, citing the family’s poor financial condition.

RSP MP Raises Disaster Preparedness Concerns

Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Ashish Gajurel demanded government clarification on preparedness for monsoon-related disasters and heatwave risks.

He warned of possible cloudburst-type heavy rainfall in eastern Nepal as monsoon approaches, highlighting that infrastructure damaged in last year’s monsoon has not yet been fully rebuilt.

He questioned government readiness regarding:

• Rescue and relief operations
• Deployment of volunteers, Red Cross, and security forces
• Protection of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, hospitals, electricity, and communication systems

He also raised concerns about prolonged heatwaves in western Nepal and demanded that the Home Minister brief Parliament on disaster response plans.