RPP Leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi Demands Prime Minister's Presence in Policy and Program Discussion

Kathmandu. National Prajatantra Party (RPP) Parliamentary Party Leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi has demanded that the Prime Minister himself be present for the discussion on the government's policy and program. He accused the Prime Minister of trying to evade accountability by bypassing the parliament and strongly objected to this. Speaking to journalists outside the parliament building, leader Shahi clarified that it is the Prime Minister's responsibility to present the government's policy and program in the parliament and answer the questions raised. Shahi argued that it is serious that the Prime Minister can hold a cabinet meeting in Singha Durbar but cannot come to parliament to face the questions of the people's representatives. He portrayed the Prime Minister's absence as an insult not only to the ruling and opposition parties but to the entire sovereign parliament. He emphasized that the policy and program is the backbone of the government, and the Prime Minister himself must take ownership of it. Speaking to journalists, Shahi said, 'The policy and program is the backbone of the government. According to global practice and our parliamentary practice, the Prime Minister must take ownership of it. Entrusting another minister with the responsibility of answering, except when the Prime Minister is sick or out of the country, is against parliamentary dignity. The government of the people must be accountable to the people, and parliament is the forum for that. The Prime Minister has been called to parliament not for any entertainment but to answer about the country's future direction, priorities, and pressing public issues. There can be no more important issue for the government than the policy and program.' He also urged the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to be serious about this issue, reminding them of past precedents. Shahi recalled that RSP had protested when the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was absent from parliament, and stated that in the current situation too, all parties should seek accountability. He reiterated his stance that the Prime Minister cannot evade accountability under any pretext. Informing that the parliament session was adjourned for 15 minutes due to the Prime Minister's absence, he said that the future strategy would be decided after discussions among the parties.