Opposition parties on Thursday continued their protest in the House of Representatives, demanding that Prime Minister Balendra Shah clarify his remarks on the Nepal-India border issue and withdraw the statement from the parliamentary record.
KATHMANDU, JULY 9
Proceedings of the House of Representatives were again disrupted on Thursday as opposition parties pressed the government for a clear response over Prime Minister Balendra Shah's remarks concerning the Nepal-India border dispute.
As soon as the meeting began, lawmakers from the opposition stood in protest. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, noting that the issue had been repeatedly raised, allowed one representative from the opposition to present a brief statement before extending speaking time to other opposition parties.
Speaking on behalf of the Nepali Congress, Harinadevi Kami objected to the Prime Minister's statement made in the House on May 31, in which he said, "It appears Nepal has also encroached on Indian land." She demanded that the Prime Minister clarify the remark and that it be expunged from the parliamentary record.
CPN-UML lawmaker Yashoda Kumari Baral accused the government of repeatedly ignoring concerns raised by the opposition, while party colleague Bhim Kumar Budhamagar said the Prime Minister should correct his statement on an issue linked to national sovereignty.
Similarly, Purna Prasad Limbu of the Shram Sanskriti Party questioned the Prime Minister's remarks, while Rastriya Prajatantra Party lawmaker Khushbu Oli called on the ruling side to publicly clarify its position on the issue.
The opposition has continued to obstruct House proceedings over the controversy, insisting on a formal government response regarding the Prime Minister's statement.