Opposition protest & boycott mark start of House session
Despite Speaker Devraj Ghimire’s repeated calls for cooperation to conduct the session smoothly, RSP lawmakers chanted slogans and surrounded the well of the House.
KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives session commenced on Sunday amid strong protest from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and a boycott by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
The session had been scheduled to discuss the appropriation bill for fiscal year 2082, including budget allocations for the President, Vice President, and several key ministries.
As the meeting began, RSP and RPP lawmakers rose in protest. Despite Speaker Devraj Ghimire’s repeated calls for cooperation to conduct the session smoothly, RSP lawmakers chanted slogans and surrounded the well of the House.
Speaker Ghimire urged lawmakers to allow the passage of essential financial bills and facilitate parliamentary proceedings. However, protests continued as the House moved forward with its scheduled agenda.
RSP lawmaker Asim Shah declared that the party would continue its protest until an impartial investigation is launched into the controversial “visit visa” case. He criticized the government for ignoring their concerns despite a month-long obstruction of the House.
Meanwhile, RPP lawmaker Dhawal Shamsher Rana demanded an independent probe into the Tikune incident, criticizing the government’s silence on the matter.
Lawmakers from the ruling coalition appealed for calm and requested RSP and RPP members not to obstruct the session.
Today’s agenda includes discussions on the budget allocations for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Urban Development, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, National Planning Commission Secretariat, and the offices of the President and Vice President.
