PM slams opposition over House boycott

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday criticised opposition lawmakers for turning Parliament into what he called a “factory for social media content.”

Speaking in the House, Oli said Parliament should focus on national priorities, not creating confusion for online views and likes. His comments came after a prolonged boycott by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) members, who are demanding a high-level investigation into visit visa scandals and the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

“Parliament is not a stage for drama. It is a sacred place to serve the nation,” Oli said, accusing some MPs of misleading the public for political gain. He rejected claims of political revenge in the cooperative fraud case involving RSP President Ravi Lamichhane, saying justice follows the law, not political favouritism.

Oli highlighted his government’s achievements over the past fiscal year. These include:

• Construction of 1,088 km of two-lane roads and 146 km of four-lane roads, along with a 166% rise in suspension bridges, including one at the sensitive Susta border area.
• Progress on key highways such as Madan Bhandari, Postal, and Mid-Hill, and the opening of the Damak Business Complex.
• A 9.02% rise in Class 12 pass rates and the hiring of 6,506 permanent teachers.
• Completion of 55 basic hospitals, free HPV vaccines for 1.6 million girls, and 131 free air rescues for pregnant women in high-risk areas.
• Expansion of the Citizen Health Programme to all local levels and more funds for serious illnesses.

On digital services, Oli said 65 government services are now available on the Nagarik app, 75% of citizens are registered for national ID cards, and work is ongoing to link them with driver’s licences, SIM cards, and foreign employment verification.

He also reported adding 434 MW of electricity to the national grid, reaching 3,682 MW in total, installing 573 automated weather stations, and providing basic drinking water to 97% of the population. The Melamchi water system has been upgraded with automated management.

Oli said Nepal received Rs 5 billion from the Green Climate Fund, completed damage assessments for 87,000 households after earthquakes, and provided aid to 79,000 families.

In agriculture, the government launched online insurance, set minimum support prices, gained recognition for Nepali labs in India, and improved meat and dairy export processes to China. Land record digitisation is complete in 135 offices, with 92 offices using the Nepal Land Information System.

Tourism welcomed 1.2 million visitors last year, with longer stays on average. Flights from China began at Pokhara International Airport, and Gautam Buddha International Airport increased flights from 120 to 440.

On foreign affairs, Oli said Nepal is active in global forums, including BIMSTEC, the UN, and visits to China and Thailand. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Inquiry into Disappeared Persons are now functioning.

Oli called on opposition parties to act responsibly, warning that undermining the judiciary and Parliament would damage the country. He dismissed rumours that the government plans to legalise polygamy as false.

He confirmed that the current political alliance will remain until the 2027 elections, saying it was formed to ensure stability and economic growth. “We are building a prosperous Nepal with happy citizens. Let’s not derail this journey for personal gain,” he said.