PM may not need parliament, but the opposition certainly does: Angdembe

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) Parliamentary Party leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe has said that a debate has emerged over whether Prime Minister Balendra Shah considers parliament necessary.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Angdembe said the Prime Minister may not need Parliament, but the opposition certainly does.  He also strongly criticised the prime minister’s conduct and public statements.

“Perhaps the Prime Minister will again make a guerrilla-style appearance in the House,” he said. “I hope such an incident does not recur because there are fears that he may create another unruly situation. But from now on, I do not wish to seek him out, because the problems facing my country are far greater and more sensitive than his presence.”

Angdembe said he did not want parliament’s time to be wasted over the prime minister’s remarks. “The world is aware that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are Nepali territories. The solution to this issue lies not in provocation or emotion, but in serious dialogue and diplomatic processes,” he said.

He argued that while the NC has always supported the government in resolving border disputes through diplomatic channels, the current government does not appear serious about the matter. Recalling that NC lawmakers had questioned their own prime ministers and ministers in the House when mistakes were made in the past, he said it was surprising that lawmakers from the ruling parties had remained silent over the prime minister’s statement on border issues.

Angdembe further objected to the silence of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane on border issues during his recent visit to India. He also criticized Lamichhane’s remark that border issues were not matters to be discussed “by beating drums.” “Why did you return from New Delhi without uttering even the ‘L’ of Lipulekh or the ‘K’ of Kalapani?” he asked. “We too know that such matters cannot be resolved by beating drums. There are established norms and procedures for addressing them.”