Congress MP Nischal Rai Urges Speaker to Avoid Double Standards on Protests

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress MP Nischal Rai has urged Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal not to create a 'double standard' by calling the current protest undignified, reminding him of the protests made when he was in opposition. Speaking in the House of Representatives meeting, MP Rai said that yesterday's 'blue scarf' and today's placard protest should be viewed in the same way.

Disagreeing with Speaker Aryal's labeling of the placard shown by the other opposition party, the Labor Culture Party, in the house as 'undignified', Rai said, 'When those in power today were in opposition yesterday, they used to tie blue scarves, sit cross-legged, and read books. When they did it, it was dignified; when others seek accountability, how is it undignified?'

MP Rai also stated that the Congress has concluded that yesterday's action was wrong and today's is also not right. He said that the current situation has been created by the government.

Stating that the Prime Minister and the government have an 'allergy' at the mere mention of the house, Rai said that the government is bent on breaking traditions in the name of 'breaking the sequence'. 'The government is interfering in the legislature, executive, and judiciary,' Rai said, 'Friends on the ruling side are trying to cover up the government's mistakes.'

Rai said that the government is challenging the parliamentary system and practice by showing the arrogance of a two-thirds majority. 'As long as the practice of parliamentary affairs is sought to be suppressed by the arrogance of numbers, the house cannot be dignified. What is happening in the house today is the result of the ruling party proudly saying that we have broken the sequence with chest puffed out.'

Reminding Speaker Aryal of his role as the guardian of the house, Rai said, 'Any damage to the dignity of the house is linked to your prestige. The Speaker must make a ruling to make the Prime Minister, who says 'I have a two-thirds majority, I don't respect the house', present in parliament and hold him accountable.'