Kathmandu: Lawmakers from opposition parties have demanded that the government present evidence in Parliament regarding the Prime Minister’s statement that Nepal had encroached upon Indian territory.Speaking during the meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, opposition members emphasized that the issue concerns national sovereignty and territorial integrity and therefore requires clear substantiation.
Member of Parliament Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) stated that matters relating to the country’s sovereignty and territory are highly sensitive and should not be addressed on the basis of speculation. Through Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, he urged the government to provide evidence supporting the claim that Nepal had encroached on Indian land.
Similarly, Aren Rai, a lawmaker from the Shram Sanskriti Party, said that the remarks made by Prime Minister Balendra Shah during Sunday’s meeting of the House of Representatives were serious in nature and required a response supported by evidence. He further warned that parliamentary proceedings would not be allowed to continue until a satisfactory explanation was provided.
Ain Bahadur Mahara, Chief Whip of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), stated that the country’s achievements had been secured through significant struggle and sacrifice, and no one should be permitted to act against those gains. He argued that the Prime Minister’s remarks concerning territorial encroachment were highly sensitive and warranted clarification. Mahara further noted that India itself had not formally claimed that Nepal had encroached upon its territory, making such a statement by Nepal’s Prime Minister contrary to the national interest.
“The Prime Minister’s statement should be removed from the parliamentary record,” Mahara demanded.Meanwhile, Indira Rana Magar, a lawmaker from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), drew the Speaker’s attention to what she described as opposition members’ remarks being inconsistent with parliamentary rules and procedures.
Likewise, Yubaraj Dulal, Chief Whip of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), stated that the country’s chief executive had expressed views contrary to diplomatic norms and called for the remarks to be corrected. He added that the Prime Minister’s statement had created serious concerns among the public.
Opposition lawmakers have urged the Speaker not to allow parliamentary proceedings to move forward until the matter is addressed.
