Speaker Sapkota urges political parties to develop shared view on national agenda

Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has called for all political parties to move ahead with consensus and collaboration developing a shared understanding of national agenda.

At a discussion with the top leaders of the key political parties represented in the dissolved House of Representatives at the federal parliament building in New Baneswor today, Speaker Sapkota said he would work within the constitutional parameter until another arrangement following a fresh election to the HoR members.

The Speaker further said that he would continue to work until the next election as per the global norms and principles since the parliament is to listen to the voices of the people’s representatives, shared Speaker’s Press Advisor, Shreedhar Neupane.

Noting that the HoR was repeatedly dissolved without any reasons, he expressed displeasure over the dissolution of the Lower House when necessary preparation was underway for the budget session last time.

The Speaker further said that he had invited top leaders of the political parties for discussion on contemporary issues.

During the meeting, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, former Prime Ministers Jhalanath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal expressed the confidence that the Supreme Court (SC) will give the verdict on House of Representatives (HoR) dissolution in line with the constitution.

Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who was present at the meeting, said that the Speaker summoned the meeting to hold discussions on contemporary political issues at a time when the HoR dissolution in the sub judice at the SC.

Dr Bhattarai stated that the top leaders agreed to safeguard democracy as democracy in Nepal was at peril after the dissolution of the HoR repeatedly. “The House has been dissolved repeatedly. We shared common concerns in this,” Dr Bhattarai said.

“Coronavirus pandemic is raging but there is no management of vaccine. Also, we shared a common view on this issue,” he added.

He further said that the leaders at the meeting shared their conviction that the deadlock would end accordingly as 146 lawmakers have filed the petition in the SC and told the Speaker that the HoR dissolution was a wrong move.

Chairman of Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal Upendra Yadav, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Dipak Bohara and Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party were also present at the meeting.