KATHMANDU, MARCH 5
Political analysts say the main opposition CPN- UML's continued obstruction of parliamentary proceedings has resulted in failure of the political system.
The UML has been obstructing parliamentary proceedings for almost six months. Despite the ruling coalition and Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota's attempt to pacify the UML, the main opposition has not ended its obstruction in the House.
Most of the bills remain stalled. In the last six months, the House passed only the new budget and the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement amidst the UML's obstruction.
Many crucial bills, including citizenship bill, remain stalled in the House.
Political analyst Hari Roka said the UML's protest against Speaker Sapkota for not confirming the expulsion of 14 UML lawmakers was unnecessary. "The UML gave legitimacy to parliamentary ratification of the MCC deal when it said it expected proper implementation of the deal. By legitimising the parliamentary ratification of the MCC deal, the UML has also legitimised Speaker Sapkota's action and the 14 former UML lawmakers who had left the party to form the CPN (Unified Socialist)," Roka said.
He argued that the constitution had incorporated new provisions to ensure political stability, but the then Oli-led government used loopholes to create political instability and once again it was using a loophole to prolong its obstruction in the House. Roka said HoR members had the right to discuss important issues, but the UML's obstruction had deprived lawmakers of this right.
Professor Lokraj Baral said there were abrasions everywhere due to lack of minimum political culture. "Our parliamentary system has not worked. Parliamentary system requires not only periodic elections and formation of new government but also functional or performance legitimacy," Baral said and added that the delivery of the new government was almost nil. He said if top leaders, particularly UML leaders, realised their duty towards the country,the deadlock in the Parliament would end soon. Everybody wants to take steps that suits them. This was evident when Oli, who said he did not command majority in the HoR went to the president a few hours later claiming majority, and the president dissolved the HoR to suit Oli's interests.
Senior Advocate Radhe Shyam Adhikari said the UML was not following rules to get its demands addressed in the Parliament.
Adhikari said the UML should realise its political duty to the public and end its obstruction in the House.
"The Parliament is the only lawmaking body and there are many pressing issues that remain stalled due to the obstruction," Adhikari said. He said it was urgent that the HoR pass the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority and Nepal Air Service Authority Bill, which was passed by the NA two years ago. "The European Union has asked Nepal to separate the Nepal civil aviation authority from other services for it to consider relaxing the ban on Nepali airlines, but we have not been able to pass these bills." Nepali airlines have not been able to fly in EU skies since 2013 because they have been blacklisted by the EC. A total of 96 airlines including 20 air carriers certified in Nepal have been banned from EU skies. He said passage of these bills could help revive Nepal's tourism sector.
"Removal of Speaker is governed by rules, but the UML has not followed them," Adhikari said and added that the UML's obstruction had taxed people's tolerance.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 6, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
