Prime Minister Balen Shah's Border Remarks Criticized in National Assembly

Kathmandu. National Assembly members have strongly criticized and objected to Prime Minister Balen Shah's statement regarding borders given in the House of Representatives meeting on Sunday. 

Speaking during the emergency hour of Monday's meeting, the members objected, stating that Prime Minister Shah's statement that Nepal has also encroached on India's border is against the country's sovereignty. 

Speaking in the meeting, Nepali Congress MP Ranjit Karna demanded that Prime Minister Shah publicly present proof within 24 hours that Nepal has encroached on India's land. He stated that the facts of which areas of India Nepal has encroached upon should be made public. 

If the Prime Minister cannot prove his statement, he should apologize publicly, and a committee should be formed to investigate the statement, he demanded. He said, 'Yesterday, the Prime Minister accepted that Nepal has also encroached on India's border. I urge him to provide information within 24 hours about which places in India the Government of Nepal has encroached upon. If he cannot prove it, he must apologize publicly. I also demand the formation of a committee to investigate this matter. Along with this, we have many issues with the Prime Minister in the National Assembly. Because he is also a representative of the Gen Z generation. How have you tried to solve the problems of Gen Z through budget and policy and programs?' 

Similarly, CPN (Maoist Centre) MP Rajendralaxmi Gaire objected to Prime Minister Shah advocating for India from the rostrum of the parliament. She questioned on what basis Prime Minister Shah made the statement that Nepal has also encroached on India's border. 

She accused the Prime Minister's statement on borders as treasonous. She said, 'For the first time in history, advocacy for India was heard from the floor of the Nepali parliament. I want to draw the government's attention to clarify on what basis Prime Minister Balen Shah expressed that view. This is an act of treason.' 

CPN (UML) MP Ram Kumari Jhankri commented that Prime Minister Shah's statement regarding borders given in the House of Representatives has lowered the heads of self-respecting Nepali citizens. Stating that Nepal is a sovereign country, she said that expressions against the country's interests are unacceptable. She also recalled that India has encroached on approximately 62 places in Nepal and deployed security personnel. 

Jhankri stated that the Prime Minister's statement given on the eve of the Rastriya Swatantra Party chairman's visit to India was not spoken carelessly but had a serious reason behind it. She said, 'The statement made by the Prime Minister during his address in the House of Representatives has lowered the heads of self-respecting Nepalis, causing shame. Various historical documents state that Nepal is a sovereign country. Issues related to Nepal's borders are also mentioned in various documents. When we were involved in student politics, we raised the issue of border encroachment in 62 places in Nepal. Not only that, but Indian army and police are also present in the encroached areas. In such a situation, on the eve of the Rastriya Swatantra Party chairman's visit to India, what Prime Minister Balen Shah said in the House of Representatives as if he was at a concert, without notice, and against the rules of the House of Representatives, we do not believe it was a slip of the tongue or said carelessly. There is some deep reason behind it. Self-respecting Nepalis should take this seriously.' 

In the House of Representatives meeting on Sunday, while responding to questions from MPs, Prime Minister Shah had stated that it was found that Nepal has also encroached on India's land. Mentioning that new facts have been found regarding border issues since he became Prime Minister, he informed that encroachment by both sides has been found. 'Not only has India encroached on Nepal's land, but it has also come to light after becoming Prime Minister that Nepal has encroached on India's land in many places,' he said. 

Opposition parties are saying that they will not let the parliament function based on this statement by Prime Minister Shah. Their demand is that the Prime Minister should apologize to the public and correct his statement. (News Agency Nepal)