RPP boycotts House session

KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) obstructed proceedings in the House of Representatives on Monday as well, demanding the formation of a committee to probe Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s alleged involvement in the visit visa controversy.

Speaking in the meeting, RPP Chairperson Rajendra Lingden said the House was being forced ahead without consensus. “A party with one seat and a party with 100 seats have equal dignity in this House. There may be differences in numbers or government formation,” Lingden said. “But the electoral system has been designed to prevent the suppression of ideas.”

He called on Speaker Devraj Ghimire to act as a guardian of the House. “The Speaker represents both small and large parties. Forcing the House forward despite major differences on important issues goes against parliamentary decorum,” Lingden said, announcing the boycott of the session. “If parliament is reduced to a mere ritual, RPP will not participate. Any meeting allowances under our name should be returned to the state treasury.”

Meanwhile, the RSP is continuing to chant slogans in the parliament, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Lekhak over the visa controversy.