CPN-UML Accuses PM Balen Shah of Undermining Parliament and Constitution

Kathmandu. The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) has accused Prime Minister Balen Shah of devaluing the parliament and the constitution. Speaking in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, UML Chief Whip Ain Mahar raised the question of whether the government was trying to practice a different system than democratic governance.

He expressed curiosity as to whether the current government was adopting the system of governance stipulated in the constitution or trying to develop some other alternative 'system'. Chief Whip Mahar accused Prime Minister Shah of trying to develop 'Balenism' rather than democracy.

Reminding that the constitution ensures a federal democratic republican parliamentary system of governance based on pluralism, he questioned the government's recent style of functioning. Mahar argued that the Prime Minister has repeatedly ignored the parliament and attacked its dignity. He also mentioned that general curiosity is increasing in the market regarding the Prime Minister's style of functioning.

Mahar urged the Prime Minister to stop insulting and disrespecting the parliament and urged the government to be accountable to the house and the constitution. He said, 'Is the system of governance stipulated in the constitution being adopted or is some other system of governance, some other ism being developed? There is a talk in the market, is Prime Minister Balen Shah trying to develop Balenism rather than democracy? General curiosity is increasing. This is because he has repeatedly ignored the parliament. He has repeatedly disrespected and insulted the parliament.'

The UML emphasized that the Prime Minister himself should answer the people's questions and urged him to be present in the parliament. UML's stance is that the head of the executive must be accountable to the parliament to preserve democratic values and norms.