Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has reiterated its stance of not allowing parliamentary proceedings to move forward until a parliamentary inquiry committee is formed to study allegations of cooperative fraud against Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.
After NC lawmakers refused to take their seats, Speaker Devraj Ghimire gave time to NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa to speak.
Thapa said the government itself would be responsible if the House proceedings are affected. “It is not the NC, but the government that will be responsible for not allowing this House to proceed forward. We do not have faith in the government’s actions,” Thapa said. “The House proceedings cannot move forward until a parliamentary investigation committee is formed.”
Stating that they have not asked the Home Minister to resign, Thapa said the NC only wants allegations against him to be investigated.
“It is because of the government itself that these difficulties have arisen. The NC will not support any parliamentary proceedings until a parliamentary investigation committee is formed,” he stated.
Stating that the NC has proof of Lamichhane’s involvement in the cooperative scandal, Thapa said the allegations should be thoroughly investigated by forming a parliamentary inquiry panel before arriving at any conclusion.
NC lawmakers then left their seats and chanted slogans against the government.
The Speaker then adjourned the House session for 15 minutes.
