Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Experts have commented that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli undermined parliamentary decorum and democratic practices.
They said Oli did not appear accountable in responding to the questions raised by lawmakers during the question-and-answer session in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday.
When lawmakers raised questions on issues related to good governance, irregularities, and development, Oli instead countered with questions of his own. Oli retorted by implying that the questioners did nothing when they were in office and are now only raising questions.
During the question-and-answer session, Oli appeared less serious in responding to questions from Prakash Jwala of CPN (Unified Socialist), Barsha Man Pun of CPN (Maoist Center), and Prabhu Sah of Aam Janata Party. “It is not necessary to give a detailed answer to the question raised by the honorable member. The question itself carries the answer, so I don’t need to provide much of a response,” he replied to one of the questions.
Sah accused Oli of mocking the question-and-answer session. “Instead of answering the questions, the Prime Minister evaded them. He should have answered questions related to public concerns. He insulted the parliament and made a mockery of the Q&A session,” Sah said.
Santosh Pariyar, chief whip of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), said that PM Oli’s attitude has raised questions about the parliamentary system.
Senior Advocate Dinesh Tripathi said the Prime Minister must be accountable to the parliament in the parliamentary system. “Oli’s aggressive stance on Sunday has undermined democratic practices. It is the duty of the lawmakers to hold the Prime Minister accountable, but Oli did not appear responsible,” he added. “The Prime Minister should always be prepared to face questions.”
Former Speaker and CPN (Maoist Center) Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota also said that the Prime Minister must always be prepared to face questions. Sapkota added that the Prime Minister’s accountability to parliament and lawmakers is a fundamental criterion of the parliamentary system. “This is also considered a natural principle in the parliamentary system. How accountable is our Prime Minister to the parliament?”
