Speakers orders removal of Rai’s statement form parliamentary record

KATHMANDU: Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal on Wednesday ordered the removal of a statement made by opposition CPN-UML lawmaker Rajendra Rai from the official parliamentary record after it triggered a dispute in the House of Representatives.

The controversy began after Rai questioned whether the Speaker “could hear,” a remark that Aryal said amounted to disrespect toward both the Speaker and Parliament. The ensuing uproar forced the House to adjourn for 15 minutes.

Before the adjournment, Aryal refused to allow Rai to continue speaking and instead called on another UML lawmaker, Parshuram Tamang. However, Tamang did not take the floor despite being called three times. As Aryal then invited Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Tika Sangraula to speak, UML lawmakers stood in protest.

Sangraula objected to Rai’s remarks, citing Rule 21(b) of the House of Representatives Regulations, which prohibits criticism of the Speaker’s conduct except during a motion specifically concerning the Speaker’s behavior.

“There is a clear legal provision that the Speaker’s conduct cannot be criticized except during discussion of a motion concerning the Speaker’s conduct. Despite this, a member stands up and asks whether the Speaker can hear. What is the intention behind such a remark?” she said.

When the House reconvened, the Speaker allowed Rai to explain his earlier statement.

Rai said his remarks were made in the heat of the moment after he felt the Speaker had prevented him from speaking without hearing him out.

Following Rai’s clarification, Aryal ordered that the earlier statement be expunged from the parliamentary record.