Kathmandu- The main opposition party, Nepali Congress, has demanded that the Speaker issue a ruling to ensure the mandatory presence of Prime Minister Balen Shah in the House of Representatives during parliamentary proceedings.

Speaking in Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Congress parliamentary party leader Bhishmaraj Aangdembe objected to the Prime Minister’s absence and urged the Speaker to ensure his presence during the policy and programme discussion.

At the beginning of the session, opposition lawmakers had obstructed the meeting after the Prime Minister failed to attend, leading to a brief adjournment. The meeting later resumed after an agreement was reached to allow the policy and programme to be tabled.

However, after the presentation of the policy and programme, the Congress demanded an official ruling from the Speaker, stating that the Prime Minister must be present before the debate proceeds.

Aangdembe said that if the Prime Minister is unwell, Parliament should be properly informed. He added that since the opposition has raised serious concerns, the Speaker should provide clear clarification.

“We have respectfully allowed the policy and programme to be tabled. The Prime Minister’s presence is necessary for its response, and a ruling should be made accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Speaker D.P. Aryal informed the House that the issue of the Prime Minister’s presence has been noted. He also said that 35 amendment proposals have been registered on the policy and programme and added that the matter of the Prime Minister’s presence would be discussed after today’s meeting.