Prime Minister Balendra Shah's Sparse Attendance Sparks Criticism as Parliament Session Ends

As Nepal’s second House of Representatives session and the 21st National Assembly session wrapped up, Prime Minister Balendra Shah was noted for his limited presence, appearing in the lower house on only six days and in the upper house once. Opposition figure Bhishma Raj Angdembe highlighted the prime minister’s frequent absences while questioning him on topics such as flood response, border tensions, and communal unrest, but Shah offered no answers, relying on Minister for Law Sobita Gautam to handle parliamentary business.

Critics also noted Shah’s failure to meet a rule requiring monthly responses to lawmakers’ questions. The session was marked by heated debates over new House regulations, a Supreme Court interim order blocking two provisions, and frequent points of order, with Speaker DP Aryal urging restraint. Additionally, fourteen MPs missed ten or more consecutive meetings, including former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who was hospitalized. The overall low attendance raised concerns about governmental accountability to Parliament.