Yogesh Bhattarai Questions PM Balen Shah's Avoidance of Parliamentary Duties

Kathmandu. CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has stated that in countries practicing parliamentary democracy, the parliament holds high dignity and importance, and since the parliament elects the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister is equally accountable to the parliament and the people.  

Writing on social media Facebook on Thursday, Bhattarai also said that in the prime ministerial system, the policy and program read by the President are considered the government's but in essence the Prime Minister's concept.  

'Who else can give a satisfactory answer to the questions raised regarding that, other than the concept maker himself?', Bhattarai questioned, 'The Prime Minister being accountable to the parliament means participating in the parliament, clarifying the issues raised in discussions, and obeying and ensuring obedience to the parliament's decisions and directives, and the Prime Minister should understand this as his duty and responsibility.'

However, Bhattarai suspects that Prime Minister Balendra Shah is trying to evade this constitutional and positional responsibility.

In countries with parliamentary practice, it is customary for the Prime Minister to give messages through parliament regarding special addresses, announcements, views on an incident, and formal foreign visits, and Bhattarai also states that the Prime Minister feels proud when speaking from the parliament's rostrum. 'But why are these matters not attracting our young Prime Minister? Does the democratic practice accept bypassing or evading procedures?', Bhattarai questioned.