KATHMANDU, July 8: Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal on Wednesday ordered that all remarks made by CPN-UML lawmaker Rajendra Rai be expunged from the parliamentary record. He issued the directive after the House of Representatives (HoR) reconvened following a 15-minute adjournment.
The controversy began after opposition lawmakers, including those from the main opposition, stood in protest at the start of the meeting. Amid the commotion, Rai questioned the Speaker, asking, "Can you hear or not?" Aryal immediately stopped him from speaking and instructed him to take his seat.
Deputy Speaker Ruby Thakur assumes office
Other UML lawmakers also rose in protest, while Tika Sangraula raised a point of order, demanding that Rai's remarks be removed from the parliamentary record, saying they were disrespectful to the Speaker.
Rai later sent a message expressing his willingness to apologize, prompting the Speaker to allow him to speak again. However, Rai instead remarked, "You won't be able to run the House for five years. I've already seen your capability. Don't you need to listen?"
Following the renewed confrontation, Speaker Aryal adjourned the House for 15 minutes before ordering that all of Rai's remarks be removed from the parliamentary record.
