Opposition objects to sudden PM question–answer session

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balen Shah’s unexpected appearance in Parliament and his brief question–answer session with a few lawmakers has sparked strong objections from opposition parties, particularly the CPN (UML) and the Shram Sanskriti Party.

Immediately after the Prime Minister concluded his responses and left the House, lawmakers from both parties stood up demanding time to speak. However, Speaker did not grant immediate permission, leading to a brief disruption and heated exchanges in the chamber.

CPN (UML) lawmaker Aayen Mahar continued to protest while standing, while another UML leader, Guru Baral, was eventually allowed to speak. Baral criticized the session, arguing that the Prime Minister’s question–answer process did not follow parliamentary rules and procedures.

Following him, Shram Sanskriti Party lawmaker Dhurva Raj Rai also objected, saying the Prime Minister had appeared in a “sudden, informal manner” and responded to only a few questions while others were not given a chance to participate.

UML leader Mahar further disputed the Speaker’s claim that questions must be submitted three days in advance, saying such a provision does not exist in the parliamentary rulebook. He demanded that the Speaker’s remarks be expunged from the official parliamentary record.