Opposition Criticizes Government's 100 Days as 'Elephant's Show Teeth'

Kathmandu. The main opposition party Nepali Congress has commented that the achievements of the 100 days of the government led by Balendra Shah are merely 'elephant's show teeth'. Speaking in a special time in the House of Representatives meeting on Monday, Congress Parliamentary Party leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe commented that the 100-day tenure of the government led by Prime Minister Shah was merely publicity-oriented.

Angdembe said that there is a big gap between the list of achievements published by the government and the reality. Questioning the Prime Minister's parliamentary accountability, Angdembe accused the Prime Minister of being more focused on going viral on social media than on being present in parliament.

'One should not forget the ladder after climbing to the top. The parliament made you the Prime Minister, but you are devaluing the parliament itself. It is easy to go viral on social media, but running a country requires seriousness. Abandon the path of going viral,' Angdembe said.

While the government claims to have launched a campaign against corruption, Angdembe questioned the source of the gold found in the Prime Minister's property details. 'Nearly 200 tolas of gold were seen in the Prime Minister's property. What is its source? The opposition will definitely ask,' he said, 'Let the investigation of assets start not from others, but from me (Bhishma Raj Angdembe) and Prime Minister Balendra Shah. I am ready for my property investigation, is the Prime Minister ready?'

He stated that selective' methods of not investigating oneself and one's people but being harsh only on the opposition will not bring good governance.

Angdembe objected to the bulldozing of squatter settlements without alternative arrangements on the eve of the monsoon. 'The settlement of squatters may be illegal, but their birth and human rights are not illegal,' he said, 'Pushing the elderly, pregnant women, and children onto the streets is proof of the government's zero human sensitivity.'

He accused the government of double standards, protesting the arrest of Dambar Tamang, who criticized the government, while ministers and ruling party MPs made violent statements without facing any action.

He termed the practice regarding the quorum of the Constitutional Council as a 'constitutional coup'. His argument is that considering the presence of 3 out of 6 members of the council as a majority is against the spirit of the constitution and democracy.

Regarding the proposal passed by the coalition partner RSP to abolish the provincial assembly, he said, 'The Prime Minister says he will strengthen federalism, but his partner talks about abolishing the provinces. What kind of contradiction is this?'

Angdembe stated that although the reduction in the number of ministries was publicized as frugality, the state treasury was burdened by appointing 57 advisors and more than 200 secretariat staff.

He claimed that the government demonstrated opacity by hiding reports related to the BYD car case, leakage of information regarding changes in tax rates, and the share ownership of the former Home Minister.