Lawmakers express frustration over empty front benches in Parliament

Kathmandu. Lawmakers from the ruling coalition have expressed serious dissatisfaction regarding the absence of government officials and top party leaders in the parliamentary session. During Wednesday's House of Representatives meeting, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Samiksha Baskota remarked that seeing the front-row seats of Parliament empty felt like an attack on democracy itself.

Lawmaker Baskota expressed concerns that the old trend of weakening state institutions to undermine the democratic system is resurfacing. She argued that the minimal presence of the Prime Minister and most ministers has diminished the dignity of Parliament. Questioning the government's weak presence, she asked, 'Are we mocking democracy?'

Speaking at the meeting, Baskota said, 'For the past 35 years, democracy has been under constant attack in this country. To destroy democracy, it is enough to weaken the state's institutions. Seeing the empty seats in the front row today, it feels as though this honorable House and democracy itself are being attacked.'

Not only the ruling party benches but the front row of the opposition benches also appeared empty during the session. Drawing the attention of all parties to refrain from efforts to weaken Parliament and democracy, lawmaker Baskota urged the government to be accountable to the people.