CPN-UML Demands PM Balen Shah Clarify Border Remarks or Face Parliament Disruption

Kathmandu. The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has stated that it will not allow the parliamentary session to proceed until Prime Minister Balen Shah clarifies his remarks regarding the Nepal-India border made in the House of Representatives. CPN-UML MP Guru Baral said this while talking to journalists in the Parliament House complex in Singh Durbar on Tuesday.

He stated that the Prime Minister should come to parliament and substantiate his statement or withdraw it. Mentioning that the parliamentary session was delayed because they were waiting for Prime Minister Shah, he also urged Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal not to forcibly proceed with the parliamentary session.

MP Baral said, ‘We had two clear demands: Prime Minister, come to parliament and either substantiate your irresponsible statement or withdraw it. Today too, the Prime Minister did not come. We waited for two hours for the Prime Minister. But he did not come. The Speaker tried to forcibly move forward. We maintained our previous stance that we will not allow parliament to proceed until the Prime Minister gives a clear answer.’

Stating that they are conscious of protecting Nepal's interests and prestige, Baral warned that the CPN-UML would not allow parliament to proceed until the Prime Minister clarifies his position in parliament. He said, ‘Today, this situation has caused great disrepute to Nepal, not only domestically but also internationally. In India itself, false information has been publicized by calculating the land encroached by Nepal. Britain has clearly responded that we have no relation to the border dispute between Nepal and India. The Prime Minister's statement that he will solve the border problem by involving even Britain has made Nepal even more serious. We want to save Nepal from all these things. Until the Prime Minister presents his views in the House, the CPN-UML will not allow parliament to run.’