Communist Party MP Barsman Pun Highlights PM Balen Shah's Absence During Policy Discussion

Kathmandu. Nepali Communist Party (NCP) MP Barsman Pun 'Ananta' has drawn the attention of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to the absence of Prime Minister Balen Shah during the discussion on the government's policy and program. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Thursday on a party basis during the discussion on the government's annual policy and program, Pun stated that the Prime Minister is the leader of the parliament in a parliamentary democracy. He clarified that the responsibility of making the parliament dignified and organized and guiding it properly towards its destination lies with the Prime Minister. 'In a parliamentary democracy, the Prime Minister is the leader of the parliament. The parliamentary system is one where the leader of the parliamentary party with a majority becomes the Prime Minister,' Pun said. 'In that sense, the responsibility of how to make the parliament organized, how to make it dignified, how to guide it properly towards its destination lies with the honorable Prime Minister.' Pun expressed concern that the government's policy and program is the Prime Minister's program, and the Prime Minister's neglect during the discussion on his own program does not send a good signal. He stated that it was a sad situation that the Prime Minister, who came to thank the President after the President presented the policy and program, did not attend the parliament himself when the opposition also supported the motion of thanks. 'This is actually the honorable Prime Minister's policy and program. While it was being presented by the President, the honorable Prime Minister was absent. After the address, the Prime Minister himself proposed a vote of thanks. We supported that thanks, but the Prime Minister himself did not support it. Such a new 'practice' has occurred.' He questioned if this was what was meant by new ideas and new politics. 'Friends might not think this is new. Therefore, drawing attention to this as well, the beautiful aspect of democracy is dialogue. The main forum for the Prime Minister's dialogue with the public is the 'parliament',' Pun said. 'He may not be able to listen to everyone in parliament. However, he should have listened to the words of one or two honorable members, the leaders of the opposition parties, and defended his program. He has to 'defend' what the needs of his program's policies are. We hope that by the time of the response, the honorable Prime Minister will take ownership of this. He will justify its necessity.'