Federal parliament session to begin tomorrow

The Federal Parliament session is beginning on Sunday as per the Supreme Court's verdict delivered on July 12.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, at the recommendation of the government, has called for the parliamentary session at 4:00 pm tomorrow at the parliament building in New Baneshwor.

Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota stressed the inevitability of unity among the political parties given the far-reaching significance of the reinstated parliament from historical and multi-dimensional fronts.

The national and international community has closely observed the first parliamentary session following the reinstatement of the House of Representatives with the changed political scenario of the country.

The vote of confidence to be received by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in the session would determine the future course of politics.

'We will fulfil our role responsibly'

It has been said all preparations are in place for the operation of the session with the adoption of recommended health protocols when the risk of COVID-19 existed.

The session could be a great opportunity for political parties to make the House more vibrant and more accountable to the people by promoting the culture of cooperation and consensus so as to build up people's trust towards the parliament and the political parties in a changed political scenario.

 Talking to RSS, Speaker Sapkota said," The House of Representatives is a venue for spreading the message about the strength of greater national unity and I believe that to send this message is the prime need of the hour, too. Thus I am dedicated and honest to make maximum efforts for cooperating with political parties for the same."

With the July 12 verdict of the Supreme Court in regard to the writs filed against the May 22 dissolution of HoR, domestic politics has entered a new course. Executing the July 12 decision, the HoR has been reinstated and the government has been formed under the leadership of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Political parties have interpreted the apex court decision on their own connecting it to democratic practices, norms, values and the separations of power.

UML Parliamentary Party deputy leader Subas Nembang said: "Several aspects of the court decision are erroneous. We do not agree with that. The government is not made by the parliament and the people's mandate, but it is made by the court order. Even though we do not agree to the court order, the UML obeys the court order and we have started to do that."

He reiterated that the UML will fulfil the role and responsibility of the main opposition party in a constructive way.

The UML has 121 lawmakers, Nepali Congress 63, CPN (Maoist Centre) 49 and Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal 34 lawmakers in the parliament. The Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, the Rastriya Janamorcha and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) each have one lawmaker while Chhakka Bahadur Lama is an independent lawmaker.

Janata Samajwadi Party's leader Laxman Lal Karna said, "Leave aside the fact that the government has not gained maturity from the parliament, even the Council of Ministers is not complete at this point in time, and the situation is such that even the topics of public interest can be raised and they will be addressed."

Thirty-seven bills important bills are under consideration in the House of Representatives while 19 such bills are pending in the National Assembly.

CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Giriraj Mani Pokharel said that the House of Representatives, the people-elected body, which was dissolved twice due to the wrong intention, has been reinstated as many times by the respected Supreme Court. He hoped that this institution will automatically work in favour of the people and the country.

He suggested the government carry out homework well and provide the necessary business to the parliament. "Since it is the summer session, there is also a need of bringing the budget also by this session," he added.

We will work by uniting all: Govt. Spokesperson Karki

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said the government would take forward the works through cooperation and coordination to fulfil the people's aspirations through the parliament since the Supreme Court has made a historic decision regarding reinstatement of the House of Representatives.

He said the government's priority is to maintain law and order, management of health supplies for prevention and control of COVID-19, ensuring vaccination to all and reviving the COVID-19-hit economy. Minister Karki said the government will get the backup of the Parliament to carry out these important works.