Nepal PM triggers controversy in his maiden appearance in Parliament

After staying away from Parliament since the start of session on May 11, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah made his maiden appearance on Sunday and triggered a controversy with his answer on the border issue with India.

Shah, who took oath as the prime minister in March, was present in the House of Representatives to answer the questions raised by the lawmakers since Parliament began earlier in the month.

Earlier in the month, the opposition lawmakers had disrupted Parliament proceedings at least four times and even boycotted it once demanding PM Shah to appear in person.

Seven lawmakers, including two from the ruling Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RSP), asked questions to the prime minister on issues related to the recent Human Rights Commission report, Kalapani-Lipulekh territory dispute with India, landless squatters management, cooperatives fund mis-appropriation, voting rights of Nepalese living abroad, good governance and misuse of visit Visa.

Responding to them, Shah said action will be taken as recommended by the report of Human Rights Commission regarding the Gen Z movement; satisfactorily resolving the issues related to squatters, providing relief to the victims of cooperatives fund misuse among others.

The lawmakers who asked questions were Arjun Narsingh KC from Nepali Congress; Padma Aryal from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist); Pramesh Hamal from Nepali Communist Party; Aren Rai from Shram Sanskriti Party (SSP); Khusbu Oli and Kabindra Burlakoti, both from the RSP, and independent lawmaker Mahabir Pun.

While responding to a question by SSP’s Rai, Shah’s answer about resolving the border issue through diplomatic channels and other related comments triggered a controversy.

It immediately drew sharp reactions from a number of policy experts, former diplomats, lawmakers and even social media users.

Earlier, after the Parliament session began on May 11, opposition parties on May 13 disrupted the proceedings of the House demanding Shah’s presence, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the house till next morning.

On May 14 and 19 too they had obstructed the Parliament proceedings and boycotted the Parliament meetings to oppose the PM’s absence in the House.

Then again on May 21, lawmakers from multiple opposition parties raised slogans to protest Shah’s continued absence in Parliament to respond to their questions, leading to an adjournment as proceedings were disrupted.