RSP, RPP boycott parliament over visit visa probe demand
As soon as Speaker Devraj Ghimire commenced the parliamentary session, MPs from both parties stood up in protest. Speaker Ghimire allowed RSP lawmaker Toshima Karki to address the House.
KATHMANDU: Lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) boycotted today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, demanding the formation of a high-level or parliamentary investigation committee into the controversial ‘visit visa’ issue.
As soon as Speaker Devraj Ghimire commenced the parliamentary session, MPs from both parties stood up in protest. Speaker Ghimire allowed RSP lawmaker Toshima Karki to address the House.
Karki, citing two months of continuous protest over the visit visa issue, reiterated that the opposition would not stop unless a high-level probe committee is formed. She also criticized the government for continuing parliamentary proceedings despite ongoing opposition protests.
She further raised concerns about police intervention in road expansion works in Bhaisepati and demanded that ministerial quarters built by acquiring locals’ land must allow road access. Karki also criticized the government’s failure to investigate a leaked audio tape alleging bribery by a minister.
RPP lawmaker Deepak Bahadur Singh echoed the demand for a parliamentary probe committee and stated that protests would continue until it is formed. He also drew attention to the suspension of free heart treatment for children at Shahid Gangalal Heart Center due to the government’s failure to release Rs 700 million in subsidies, urging immediate action.
Despite their united protest against the visit visa scandal, the two opposition parties remain divided on the nature of the probe committee. While RSP demands a high-level investigation committee, RPP insists on forming a parliamentary investigation committee.
