Nepal’s parliament risks another unproductive tenure

Nepal's Parliament is exhibiting worrying early signs of dysfunction, with the House of Representatives experiencing repeated obstructions within its first two months. The current session's troubles began when Prime Minister Balendra Shah departed the House while President Ramchandra Paudel was delivering the government's policies and programs. Breaking with tradition, Shah delegated the task of responding to lawmakers' questions to the finance minister, leading the opposition to obstruct proceedings and demand the prime minister's presence.

Shah remained defiant for days, ignoring the pressure. When he finally appeared for a question-and-answer session, further controversy erupted. Responding to a query about India's encroachment in the Lipulekh area, Shah stated, “It’s not just India; Nepal too has encroached upon Indian land in many places.” This remark drew widespread criticism and united the opposition against the government. On the same day, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal deployed marshals to manage the opposition and secure endorsement for the lower house's regulations. The opposition has since intensified its protests, demanding Shah's statement be expunged from the parliamentary record, while the ruling party continues to defend his remarks.

This situation is particularly unfortunate as the House should be focused on the national budget, public concerns, and new legislation. Instead, it is consumed by controversies, echoing historical patterns of parliamentary deadlock. The previous House elected in 2022 also suffered from obstructions, with parties like the Nepali Congress demanding investigations into alleged cooperative fraud involving Rabi Lamichhane, while other parties like the RSP and CPN-UML also staged obstructions over different issues. That House was eventually dissolved after the Gen Z protests in September, failing to pass essential laws for the Constitution's full implementation.

The current House, elected after the Gen Z uprising, faces the risk of following the same unproductive path. The House is adjourned for a week at a critical time when budget discussions should be extensive. Following budget endorsement, numerous pending bills require deliberation and passage. For this to occur, the RSP must move beyond the euphoria of its electoral success and engage constructively in parliamentary duties.

“

It’s not just India; Nepal too has encroached upon Indian land in many places.