Ruling parties 'ashamed of' prolonged House obstructions

The ruling coalition members have said they feel ashamed at the prolonged House obstructions.

Talking to media following the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, they argued that it was wrong to continue with obstructions violating the legal provision that prevents the House from discussing the issue sub-judice at the court.

CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal urged the people concerned to exercise a conscience and let the House carry forward its business. He was referring to the main opposition CPN (UML) which has been protesting at parliament for long demanding resignation of the Speaker and disqualification of the status of 14 lawmakers from the CPN (Unified Socialist) as the HoR members.

“This has provided a ground to raise a question about the commitments to democracy, leading the degradation of the image of the protesting party,” he said claiming that the move would cost the party in upcoming elections.

Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal Federal Council Chair and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said, “The House functioning this way and the House falling into captive is misfortunate and I am ashamed of it. We, the people’s representatives come to attend the meeting, put our signatures on a register and leave by receiving allowance. This is not a good practice,” he said, urging the opposition to let the House run smoothly.

NC leader and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs expressed his concern that the sub-judice issue was tried to be raised in parliament.

The Speaker is drawing the attention of the main opposition towards the end of the situation, according to him.

It may be noted the main opposition is unhappy with the Speaker citing that he did not entertain the party proposal to disqualify 14 members.

Ruling parties not serious: UML

CPN (UML) vice-chairperson Subashchandra Nemwang claimed that the major opposition party protesting in parliament was not a cause for concern for the ruling parties.

Nemwang viewed, "They seem to be enjoying. The ruling parties are not serious about it. We have been repeatedly saying the government to be serious about the issues we raise."

"Obstruction of parliament is not our choice, it's our compulsion," he clarified.