The opposition, Nepali Congress, has questioned the role of Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara who on Thursday continued the House proceedings even after the NC lawmakers had boycotted the session. 

Speaker Mahara’s conduct was heavily criticised at the NC Parliamentary Party meeting on Friday.  

The Speaker on Thursday had refused NC lawmakers’ request for time to question Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa in connection to the rape of and murder case of a 12-year-old girl in Kanchanpur.

“What transpired in Thursday’s Parliament meeting demonstrated that Speaker Mahara is not a neutral figure,” NC Chief Whip Bal Krishna Khand said on Friday.

The NC lawmakers are planning to meet with Speaker Mahara and personally convey their reservation.

They said it was their right to ask questions to government ministers but Speaker Mahara denied them that right on Thursday.

As per the Parliament Regulations Article 219 each lawmaker has the right to ask questions to ministers,  and  the Speaker should arrange such provision of question and answer session.

“The NC had the plan to table several proposals related to public interest and motion related to public interest on Thursday, but it fell through after Speaker Mahara compelled the party lawmakers to boycott the

session,” Khand said, adding that the Speakers should play the role of a neutral figure by accommodating both the ruling and opposition sides.

The NC lawmakers did not attend Friday’s Parliament session, citing party meeting.