A Wise Retreat by the Opposition, But Accountability Still Matters

The decision by opposition parties to lift their obstruction of the House of Representatives (HoR) and allow budget deliberations to proceed deserves appreciation. At a time when the country faces pressing economic challenges and parliament has important business before it, continuing the deadlock indefinitely would have served neither the public interest nor the parliamentary system. By stepping back from confrontation and allowing the House to function, the opposition has demonstrated political maturity and a commitment to its constitutional responsibilities. For nine days, parliamentary proceedings remained stalled over Prime Minister Balendra Shah's controversial statement suggesting that Nepal had also encroached upon Indian territory in certain areas. The opposition demanded that the Prime Minister Balendra Shah clarify his remarks and apologise, arguing that such comments on a sensitive national issue required accountability before parliament. As it became increasingly evident that the Prime Minister Shah was unwilling to appear in the parliament to address the controversy, concerns mounted that the budget discussion itself could be jeopardised. In choosing to end the obstruction, opposition parties have rightly recognised that parliament's primary responsibility is to deliberate on matters of national importance. Budget discussions, which directly affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Nepalis, cannot be held hostage indefinitely to a political dispute. The opposition's role is not merely to protest but also to ensure that democratic institutions continue to function effectively. By allowing parliamentary business to resume, it has acted in accordance with that responsibility.