KATHMANDU, June 11: The House of Representatives resumed on Wednesday after days of obstruction, with lawmakers beginning deliberations on the national budget. The opposition had blocked proceedings since June 1, demanding correction of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks on border issues. The deadlock ended following an agreement between ruling and opposition parties, paving the way for budget discussions.
As per the agenda, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal allocated time for lawmakers to express views on the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure for FY 2026/27. The meeting, originally scheduled for 11 a.m., was delayed until 2 p.m. due to prolonged negotiations. During party talks, the ruling side proposed that Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal respond on behalf of the government regarding the Prime Minister’s statement. The opposition insisted that the Prime Minister’s signed letter be read aloud in Parliament. Eventually, a consensus was reached that the Foreign Minister would clarify the matter in the House, after which opposition leaders would present their views.
Following the agreement, the Nepali Congress announced it would not obstruct the House over the border issue, while CPN-UML and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) expressed reservations.
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In the resumed session, Foreign Minister Khanal clarified matters related to his India visit, Nepal–India agreements, and the Prime Minister’s border remarks. Opposition leaders were then given time to speak.
Congress Parliamentary Party leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe said his party would no longer obstruct Parliament over the issue, stressing that while the Prime Minister had acted irresponsibly, the opposition must remain responsible. He demanded that the Prime Minister apologize to the nation and the people, stating: “The Prime Minister’s presence in Parliament is secondary for us. He must apologize to the country and the people. His border remarks are highly objectionable and condemnable.”
CPN Parliamentary Party leader Ram Bahadur Thapa accused the Prime Minister of attempting to establish that Nepal had encroached on Indian territory. He alleged that the army was also defending the statement and claimed ruling party lawmakers were seeking evidence to support it.
Thapa rejected the Foreign Minister’s clarification, saying: “The Foreign Minister defended the Prime Minister’s declaration, but such an explanation must come directly from the Prime Minister.” He added that the crisis would not be resolved until the Speaker directed the Prime Minister to clarify.
NCP lawmaker Pramesh Hamal said the Foreign Minister had attempted to cover up the Prime Minister’s remarks, which his party rejected. He reiterated that Nepal had not encroached on Indian territory and demanded that the Prime Minister apologize and have his statement expunged from parliamentary records.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Parliamentary Party leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi described the Foreign Minister’s clarification as unfortunate. He said the Prime Minister’s claim that Nepal had encroached on Indian territory was a grave political and geopolitical mistake that must be corrected. “It is regrettable that ministers are now compelled to rectify such serious errors made by the head of government,” he remarked, adding that people in border areas were suffering as a result of the Prime Minister’s statement.
