Kathmandu, 11 May (H.S.): Nepal’s main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, has boycotted the meeting of the House‑of‑Representatives State Affairs and Good Governance Committee again, citing the absence of Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The boycott marks the second consecutive time the Congress has walked out of the committee session after the Prime Minister failed to appear.

The committee session, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, was meant to discuss key issues including the government’s controversial drives to clear landless encroachment settlements, law‑and‑order concerns, and broader security‑administration matters. Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who also holds the Home Ministry portfolio, was expected to provide explanations and responses. But his absence prompted the Nepali Congress to stage the walkout.

The Congress parliamentary‑party leader, Åndembé, argued that the meeting lost its meaning without the Prime Minister’s presence. “When the Prime Minister is not there, the meeting has no validity,” Åndembé said. “We are raising questions that concern the Home Ministry—related to squatter settlements and security‑sector issues. Since he is the Home Minister and Prime Minister, we want answers from him personally. If he comes, we will attend. If he does not, then we see little point in ceremonial talks, introductions, and tea.”

Åndembé added that the party had repeatedly asked the committee chairperson, Hari Dhakal, to ensure the Prime Minister attends, even requesting that the Prime Minister’s arrival be confirmed in advance. Nevertheless, the committee session was again affected for the second consecutive time due to the Prime Minister’s absence.

By boycotting the meeting, the Congress is underscoring its demand for direct, ministerial‑level accountability from the Prime Minister and using the move to signal mounting friction between the ruling side and the country’s leading opposition party.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar