Opposition parties ask government to convene parliament immediately

KATHMANDU: Seven opposition parties have demanded that the government convene the winter session of parliament.

At a meeting held at the CPN (Maoist Center) Parliamentary Party Office on Friday, the opposition parties warned that they would launch strong protests if parliamentary sessions are not called.

The parties accused the government of misusing state institutions to its benefit, avoiding parliament and making political decisions with prejudice. They added that such activities ultimately undermine democracy and the rule of law.

Issuing a joint statement after the meeting, they said: “We opposition political parties, respecting the dignity of parliament, demand that the government immediately convene the winter session. If the government does not initiate the process, we will demand a special session and warn that we will launch strong protests if autocratic and anti-people activities continue.”

The statement was signed by Mahendra Ray Yadav, Chairperson of Nepal Samajbadi Party (NSP); Tilak Thapa Magar of Aaam Janata Party; Durga Paudel of Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal, Madhav Kumar Nepal, chairperson of CPN (Unified Socialist), Rajendra Lingden, Chairperson of Rastriya Prajatantara Party (RPP), DP Aryal, Acting Chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP); Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chairperson of Maoist Center.

The seven parties accused the government of obstructing the process of forming two transitional justice commissions, disrupting the power balance in the Constitutional Council, issuing serious laws through ordinances while bypassing parliamentary discussion and protecting corruption. They have also accused the government of interfering in universities and bureaucracy, failing to address the problems of victims of loan sharks and using investigative and prosecution processes in a biased and retaliatory manner.

The opposition parties have formed a two-member task force comprising Maoist Center Deputy General Secretary Barsha Man Pun and CPN (Unified Socialist) Senior Leader Dr Beduram Bhusal to coordinate their joint activities.