Heated Exchange Between RSP and CPN-UML in Parliament

Kathmandu. A heated exchange has erupted in the House of Representatives between the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the opposition CPN-UML. The dispute began during Wednesday's parliamentary session following remarks made by RSP lawmaker Purushottam Yadav.

Lawmaker Yadav remarked that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and leader Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' were 'possessed by ghosts' and suggested that the government should arrange for an exorcist. Oli is the Chairman of the CPN-UML, and Badal is currently the leader of the parliamentary party.

Yadav stated in the meeting, 'The same ghost that possessed Comrade Oli seems to have possessed Comrade Badal today. Therefore, I strongly demand that the government arrange for an exorcist. Today, a criminal who should be behind prison bars is on a hospital bed, and from that same bed, they are sending malicious thoughts to this honorable House.'

Following these remarks, CPN-UML lawmaker Guru Baral raised a point of order with Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal. Baral demanded that the comments be removed from the parliamentary record, citing the House regulations regarding decorum. He stated, 'A ruling party lawmaker has labeled our party chairman and former Prime Minister as a criminal, which is highly objectionable. This Parliament is not the place to declare someone a criminal; that is the role of the judiciary.'

He also expressed objection to the 'regressive' demand for an exorcist and argued that the language used against party leader Badal was unacceptable, requesting its removal from the records.

After hearing Baral's concerns, Speaker Aryal noted that the attention of the House had been drawn to the matter.

Earlier, CPN-UML lawmaker Sajida Siddiqui had also demanded that Yadav's remarks be expunged from the parliamentary record.