NC calls for immediate convening of parliament

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has demanded an immediate meeting of the federal parliament to discuss serious and sensitive issues that have emerged in the country in recent days.

A meeting of the NC Parliamentary Party held at Singha Durbar on Monday concluded that issues concerning the judiciary, press, police, alleged links with middlemen, and matters involving the prime minister and his secretariat should be discussed and investigated within parliament.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, NC Parliamentary Party Leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe said parliament should be convened without delay to find solutions at a time when the credibility of various state institutions is being questioned.

He said doubts had also emerged over whether justice delivered by the judiciary was impartial and transparent. “Several issues involving middlemen have surfaced. Sensitive matters concerning the judiciary, press and police have also been raised. There are also issues involving the prime minister and his secretariat,” he said. “Rather than discussing these matters superficially in public, parliament should take institutional ownership through scrutiny, oversight and engagement.”

Angdembe said the tendency to push every issue through ordinances could raise questions about the necessity and dignity of parliament. He stressed the need to convene parliament immediately to deliberate on important national issues.

The NC also questioned the work of committees formed to investigate various incidents. Angdembe said the party wanted to know what progress the committees formed to investigate incidents in Sunchhahari and Kaptanganj, among others, had made.

The party also raised concerns over flood-displaced people in the Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi areas who have yet to receive relief or housing assistance. Angdembe said parliament should also discuss rising prices and other issues requiring immediate relief for the public.

He said the party would hold discussions with the Speaker on convening parliament, emphasizing that sensitive issues required extensive debate and deliberation within the legislature.

The Nepali Congress also said the ruling parties should clarify their position on impeachment. Noting that there appeared to be no consensus on the issue even within the ruling coalition, Angdembe said the opposition wanted to hear the government’s official position first.

“What matters is how the ruling parties present themselves, how they raise these issues and how their party’s position is implemented in parliament,” he said.

He added that opposition leaders would also hold discussions to develop a common position on impeachment and other issues.