Kathmandu, May 31 – Despite the government unveiling the national budget for the coming fiscal year before the federal parliament, significant challenges lie ahead regarding discussions and approval. The opposition remains resolute in their demand for Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s resignation to ensure smooth functioning of the House.
During Friday’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, which was convened to finalize the House of Representatives schedule for the upcoming month, opposition party legislators stated that unless the minister resigns, they will prevent Parliament from operating smoothly. This declaration came as part of their contributions during the gathering.
Since Tuesday, the opposing faction has been hindering parliamentary activities, claiming Lekhak’s role in the visit visa scandal. Nevertheless, they permitted the administration to deliver the budget on Thursday, stating their intention was not to impede a constitutional procedure. According to Nepal’s Constitution, the annual budget presentation should occur on Jestha 15, and this year, that date happened to fall on Thursday.
Lekhak’s resignation, along with the establishment of an inquiry committee to examine his role in the scandal, stands as our key demand to remove the blockage in the House proceedings. During the BAC meeting, we emphasized that negotiations regarding the budget could not commence until our conditions were met,” stated Santosh Pariyar, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party as their chief whip.
However, the BAC meeting has supported the lower house’s schedule up to June 26, planning to initiate budget talks on June 3 and finalize voting on budget-related legislation by June 24. “The responsibility now lies with the government and the ruling parties. Should they wish for the House to operate according to this timetable, their demands must first be met prior to the subsequent gathering.”
During a gathering of the CPN (Maoist Centre) leadership, it was agreed to keep up with the disruption until Lekhak steps down. “It is essential for the home minister to resign so that an impartial inquiry can be conducted into his actions,” stated Agni Sapkota, who serves as the party’s spokesman. He further mentioned that a parliamentary party meeting will take place on June 2 to formulate their approach within the legislature.
Nevertheless, the governing parties assert that the opposition is exaggerating trivial matters. “It’s essential for the opposition to collaborate in advancing legislative proceedings. Turning insignificant issues into significant disputes hinders progress and undermines the development of our parliamentary framework,” stated Mahesh Bartaula, the chief whip of CPN-UML. “I am confident they will contribute positively to ensuring smooth operation within the legislature. Setting a negative example should be avoided.”
On May 22, the Commission for Investigation on Abuse of Authority conducted a raid at the Tribhuvan International Airport Immigration Office based on allegations of tampered visitor visas. Following this investigation, Lekhak found himself embroiled in scandal when the anticorruption agency apprehended Chief Immigration Officer Tirtharaj Bhattarai—who holds the rank of joint-secretary within the Ministry of Home Affairs—and confiscated crucial paperwork.
After Bhattarai was arrested, the anticorruption agency also started probing employees at the home minister’s office, which raises doubts about Lekhak’s ethical accountability in this matter.
Bhattarai was detained by the CIAA one day following his move from the airport to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The anticorruption agency asserts they found proof suggesting people received tourist visas overseas as part of a scheme involving substantial payments, allegedly coordinated with Bhattarai’s assistance. His relocation to the home ministry amid an inquiry has heightened doubts about potential interference from senior officials in this scandal.
The author, however, has dismissed these accusations, challenging how they can hold him accountable for something he did not do. He contends that asking for his resignation is pointless since no complaints have been filed against him and no agencies are looking into the matter.
Even with the opposition exerting pressure, both the UML and the Nepali Congress insist that Lekhak will not step down, and they refuse to establish an inquiry commission.
