Kathmandu, 15 May (H.S.):

Hark Sapang, chairman of Nepal’s opposition Labour Culture Party, has demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, accusing him of insulting parliament and behaving irresponsibly toward parliamentary traditions.

In a statement, the member of the House of Representatives alleged that Prime Minister Shah repeatedly weakened the dignity of the federal parliament by being absent during key parliamentary procedures. Sapang said that on 11 May, when President Ramchandra Paudel was presenting the government’s policy and programme, the prime minister walked out of the House. He added that Shah was also absent during debates on 13 May and did not attend parliament to reply, despite watching the proceedings live from a nearby office.

Describing the prime minister’s conduct as a contempt of parliamentary decorum, Sapang called it “a black mark on the history of parliamentary tradition.” The statement said, “How can a prime minister, elected from that very parliament and having thus insulted the nation’s supreme representative institution, continue to hold office?”

He said anyone unable to discharge their constitutional responsibilities should resign on moral grounds to ensure accountability. Sapang also accused the government of attempting to sideline parliament through ordinances and of failing even to fulfil its minimal duties.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar