Prime Minister Balen Shah Faces Widespread Criticism for Controversial Parliamentary Statement on Border Encroachment

Kathmandu. There has been widespread protest regarding Prime Minister Balen Shah's statement in Parliament that Nepal has also encroached on the border of neighboring country India. On Sunday, during the House of Representatives meeting, Prime Minister Balen, who went to the rostrum for a surprise question-and-answer session, said in response to questions raised by MPs, 'India has not only encroached on Nepal's land, but Nepal has also encroached on India's land in many places.'

This statement by Balen has now become a burden for the government and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Opposition parties have strongly protested against the Prime Minister's controversial statement.

Balen was dragged into controversy when he spoke in parliament for the first time

To form a common opinion on this issue, the main opposition party Nepali Congress called a meeting of opposition parties on Monday morning. The meeting demanded that the Prime Minister clarify his statement on the country's borders.

As per the decision of that meeting, opposition parties repeatedly obstructed the session on Monday. Due to the protest of the opposition parties, the discussion on the budget for the fiscal year 2083/084 has been affected. While the Prime Minister's statement created a major stir in the diplomatic arena, a confrontation occurred in the House until Sunday night as Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal forcibly got the 'House of Representatives Rules, 2082' approved.

Speaker Aryal has formed an inquiry committee with the objective of taking action against the MPs of the opposition parties who engaged in anarchic activities in the House. He has also stated that a record of the incident that occurred on Sunday has been prepared.

Opposition parties protested separately

Opposition parties have issued separate statements protesting the expression given by the country's chief executive, which they claim harms national integrity. However, the ruling party RSP has remained silent on this issue. Leaders claimed that there was no discussion regarding the Prime Minister's statement in the secretariat meeting held on Monday morning before Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's visit to India. Treasurer Lima Adhikari claimed that the meeting was focused on the general convention, so the Prime Minister's statement was not discussed.

'The discussion in the meeting was focused on the general convention. No questions were raised about the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already clarified his (Balen's) statement,' Adhikari told Ratopati. 'The issue of nationality does not belong to any particular party. Our stance is the same as the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.'

The main opposition party Nepali Congress has protested by issuing a statement regarding the Prime Minister's statement on border disputes.

'It is a sad matter that such an anti-national and irresponsible statement, contrary to diplomatic decorum, has come from the level of the country's Prime Minister. The Nepali Congress expresses regret and strong condemnation of the Prime Minister's statement,' the statement read.

Another opposition party, CPN-UML, has stated that it is extremely unfortunate that a statement harmful to the nation has come from the country's chief executive. In a statement issued by General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, it was clarified that an apology should be made to the country and the people.

The statement issued by UML read, 'It is extremely unfortunate that such a statement harmful to the nation has come from a person holding the responsible position of the country's chief executive, contrary to historical facts and irrefutable evidence.'

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) has stated that it is a serious act of treason to say that Nepal has also occupied Indian land by distorting historical facts, considering that encroachment and possession or exchange of land on international borders are different matters.

On what basis did the Prime Minister claim that Nepal had encroached on Indian territory?

'Distorting the historical fact of India's unilateral encroachment in areas like Kalapani, Lipulek, and Limpiyadhura of Nepal and saying that Nepal has also occupied Indian land is a serious act of treason,' the statement read.

Similarly, the new party Shram Sanskriti Party has protested the statement made by the Prime Minister. The Shram Sanskriti Party, which has been aggressive towards Prime Minister Balen's style of work recently, has termed his statement as 'treasonous malice' through a press release.

The statement read, 'Saying that Nepal has encroached on India's border in many places, the Shram Sanskriti Party and all the Nepali people express strong objection and protest that the Prime Minister and this government are not committed to our border defense and geographical integrity.'

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has not issued an official statement regarding the Prime Minister's statement, but its leaders have called his statement objectionable. RPP has protested in the House. RPP Chief Whip Khushbu Oli said the Prime Minister's statement was serious.

'There is a big objection to the Prime Minister's statement in Parliament that Nepal has encroached on India's land,' she said. 'The Prime Minister said in Parliament that Nepal has encroached on another country's land. This is extremely serious.'

• Rabi on India Visit Amid Controversy

The fact that Chairman Lamichhane has embarked on a five-day visit to India before the controversy has subsided is being seen as significant. He, who reached New Delhi on Monday at the invitation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Naveen, has a program to meet high-ranking politicians and diplomats.

At a time when there are discussions about Nepal's relations with neighboring countries being strained recently, it is believed that Lamichhane's visit will improve relations. Along with him, RSP's Joint General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya, Head of Diaspora Department and Secretariat Member Deepak Bohara, wife Nikita Poudel, and personal secretary Pradip Acharya are also participating in the visit. According to an RSP leader, Lamichhane's visit is focused on improving relations.

'The Chairman's visit to India will not cause any difficulty to the government. There will be no change in the internal power balance either. The BJP had invited him earlier. He has gone because now is an appropriate time for the visit. This visit is purely for improving relations and mutual cooperation between the two parties,' the leader told Ratoapti.