Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has accused the newly House of Representatives Rules, 2026, passed by the House of Representatives on Sunday, of undermining universally accepted principles of lawmaking. The party has made it clear that it will not accept the rules in their current form.
According to the party, the rules were endorsed through the “arrogance of the majority,” while ignoring amendments, dissenting opinions, suggestions, and constitutional concerns raised by opposition parties from the drafting committee stage through parliamentary deliberations.
NC Spokesperson Devaraj Chalise also accused the Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal of facilitating a process that runs contrary to democratic practice. “The NC believes that the rules were passed through the arrogance of the majority while disregarding dissenting views, suggestions, and constitutional questions raised by opposition parties from the drafting committee to Parliament,” Chalise said in a statement. “The Speaker’s endorsement of such a process is contrary to democratic practice, parliamentary decorum and the spirit of the rule of law.”
Stating that democracy operates through established legal procedures, the party said the ruling side’s attempt to include a provision in the preamble allowing the removal of procedural obstacles and to elevate it into a guiding principle was entirely undemocratic. The party argued that turning an exception into a governing doctrine is unacceptable.
The party also alleged that the phrase “notwithstanding anything written in the prevailing law” in Rule 259 makes a mockery of the constitution and democratic values. It objected to provisions that shield lawmakers facing serious charges, such as corruption and money laundering, from suspension. “Lawmakers seeking special legal protection for themselves amounted to a mockery of parliamentary dignity,” it added.
The NC also said the rules curtail the authority of the National Assembly. It said Rule 140 misinterprets the constitutional procedure relating to constitutional amendments.
Rule 140 (11) states upon receipt of the Constitution Amendment Bill, which was passed by the House and sent to the National Assembly, along with a message, if the total votes received in favor of the motion reach at least a two-thirds majority of the total existing membership of both Houses at that time, the Speaker shall certify the Constitution Amendment Bill and forward it to the President for authentication.
The provision contradicts the constitution. Article 274 (8) of the Constitution clearly states that a constitution amendment bill must be passed by at least two-thirds majority of the total number of the then members of both Houses of the federal parliament.
According to the party, the provision weakens the special powers granted to the National Assembly within the federal parliament and undermines the fundamental spirit of the constitution.
