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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

RSP lawmakers turn critical after Balendra Shah government completes 100 days

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Lawmakers from Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are openly criticizing the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah after its first 100 days in office.
  • Concerns focus on ministerial conduct, policy decisions, and a perceived lack of accountability and good governance.
  • Specific criticisms include the government's failure to ensure timely fertilizer supplies for farmers and alleged obstruction of media offices.

Lawmakers from Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have voiced strong criticism of Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government as it marks its first 100 days. The party members are questioning ministerial performance, policy choices, and the administration's commitment to good governance, signaling growing dissent within the ruling coalition.

Is our role as MPs limited to sitting here and thumping desks? We will not be satisfied with that, and neither will the people.

— Jagadish KharelRSP lawmaker expressing dissatisfaction with the limited role of MPs in parliamentary proceedings.

During a recent House of Representatives meeting, RSP lawmaker Jagadish Kharel emphasized that the prime minister's popularity alone is insufficient for governance. He asserted that the dignity and role of lawmakers must be respected, questioning if their function is merely to endorse government actions. This sentiment reflects a broader concern within the party about the government's responsiveness to parliamentary oversight and public needs.

Why does the government’s heart not ache when it hears farmers saying they need fertilisers even before paracetamol when they are suffering from a high fever?

— Karishma KathariyaRSP lawmaker criticizing the government's perceived indifference to the plight of farmers facing fertilizer shortages.

Party members have also directly targeted specific ministers, particularly Agriculture Minister Gita Chaudhary, for failing to address critical issues like fertilizer shortages for farmers. RSP lawmaker Karishma Kathariya questioned the government's empathy for farmers, accusing it of misleading the public about available stocks while farmers struggle. Mohan Lal Acharya highlighted the severe fertilizer and seed shortages impacting paddy cultivation in Kapilvastu, a major agricultural district, despite early warnings to the minister.

Paddy cultivation is at its peak in Kapilvastu. Farmers in a district with the country’s largest agricultural area, 84,000 hectares, are once again struggling because of shortages of fertiliser and seeds.

— Mohan Lal AcharyaRSP lawmaker detailing the impact of fertilizer and seed shortages on farmers in Kapilvastu.

Further escalating tensions, RSP lawmakers raised concerns about alleged unlawful activities supported by state agencies. Whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar questioned the government in Parliament regarding the deliberate obstruction of entrances to prominent media houses, including Kantipur Media Group and Onlinekhabar. This action is seen by some as an attempt to intimidate the press, a move that has drawn parallels to past periods of authoritarian rule in Nepal.

He said the Nepali press, which continued to function even when King Gyanendra Shah imposed direct rule and deployed armed soldiers inside newsrooms, would not be intimidated by vehicl

— Prakash Chandra PariyarRSP whip questioning the government's alleged role in obstructing media offices.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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