Former Karnali Chief Minister Rajkumar Sharma Expresses Outburst in Provincial Assembly Over Budget Delays and Speaking Rights

Surkhet. Former Chief Minister of Karnali, Rajkumar Sharma, sounded aggressive during the Provincial Assembly meeting held on Friday.

Sharma appeared aggressive, stating that he wanted to speak during Thursday's meeting but was not given the opportunity. On Friday, Sharma, who sought permission to speak by playing a 'dhyapdhyape' (a type of rhythmic sound/call), sounded aggressive towards the Chief Minister and the parliamentarians.

The CPN (Communist Party of Nepal) had taken action against Sharma, leading to the forfeiture of his parliamentary seat. However, the Supreme Court had put a hold on the action taken against Sharma.

The CPN had taken action against him for openly supporting the Progressive Democratic Party. Following the Provincial Assembly Secretariat's decision to revoke his seat based on this, Sharma approached the Supreme Court.

The bench of Justice Meghraj Pokharel issued an interim order maintaining Sharma's parliamentary seat status. Accordingly, Sharma participated in the parliament on Thursday.

Speaker Nanda Gurung had announced the court's decision regarding Sharma's status to the assembly.

Sharma began his speech on Friday by saying, "Yesterday, I submitted a verbal request to the Speaker to be allowed to speak. Perhaps I should have submitted it in writing; I did not get time to speak. I question whether the Provincial Assembly Secretariat is aware of the established order of precedence among all members in the parliament," he raised the question.

Following that, Sharma raised his concerns. Initially, he stated that the Provincial Government has shown indifference towards the implementation of the development budget during its tenure so far. He remarked that although the government is becoming excellent in all aspects, it is weak in budget implementation.

Only 12 percent of the capital budget has been implemented so far. Following this, he became angry, stating that the budget allocated for Rukum West had not been sent. Expressing anger over the stalled budget of 11.5 crore rupees, he aggressively questioned, "Why is the government not showing promptness in sending the budget allocated for Rukum West? Are they looking down on us? There is a limit to looking down on people," he questioned repeatedly. "There are 28 projects, and a budget of 11.5 crore rupees is held up. Some employee has written a letter saying it was passed by a majority, and the Finance Ministry has written the same. Wouldn't it have been better to show the percentage? How many supported and how many opposed? The Finance Ministry should have disclosed the numbers, why write such evasive letters?"

Sharma became angry, stating that even in the meeting of the Development Problem Resolution Committee, vague letters were written. Questioning Chief Minister Yamalal Kandel, he asked, "What prejudice does the Chief Minister hold against the people of Rukum? Is such prejudice permissible? Looking down on them? Shouldn't the government fulfill its role?"

He questioned what use this government is if it does not work for the people. "Isn't this the reason why questions are being raised about dissolving the province?" Sharma added, "What kind of oppression is this? Looking down on people even inside the parliament?"

He expressed anger over not being allowed to speak in the parliament. Interpreting the parliament as a temple for parliamentarians, he said, "Why was I not given the opportunity to speak? Locking the temple? I am speaking now by making noise. There is not much to say here; it is the era of 'Netatantra' (rule by leaders)."

He continued to be aggressive, calling it an era of high-handedness. After Sharma finished speaking, Speaker Nanda Gurung informed the assembly that the issues raised by him had drawn the attention of the house. Stating that the assembly was conducted according to the Provincial Assembly Regulations, Gurung said, "What the Honorable member raised is not mentioned in the regulations; the management of the assembly was done within the perimeter of the regulations."

She sought everyone's cooperation in this matter. Sharma's concerns regarding issues outside the process and procedure were brought to the attention of the government.