Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, leader of the parliamentary party of the CPN-UML, a major opposition party, accused the government of moving towards “fascist rule” on Friday, citing its recent activities and parliamentary discussions on the arrest of a former Chief Justice. His remarks came during a meeting of the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, just hours before President Ramchandra Paudel ended the current parliamentary session at midnight on Friday.
Thapa claimed that the government’s recent actions, including parliamentary discussions on the arrest of a former Chief Justice, indicated a shift towards fascism. Thapa also criticised the government for failing to adequately address public issues.
He further alleged that the ruling side was imposing decisions based on its numerical strength rather than fostering effective discussion and dialogue in parliament. Thapa stated that the opposition’s suggestions were not given sufficient consideration during the lawmaking process, with bills being passed based on “number and power” rather than consensus. “While democratic processes should be based on dialogue and consensus, the ruling party has pushed through bills based on the arrogance of numbers and power,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Thapa acknowledged his party’s defeat in the last election as a democratic practice. “Acceptance of defeat is not surrender; we have taken it as an opportunity for future victory,” he said.
Thapa also touched upon global developments, noting that rapid advancements in science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI), algorithms, climate change, and shifts in global power balance are ushering in a new world order. He observed that the centre of the world order is shifting from west to east, with a transition of old leadership and “rule setting” to new leadership.
Meanwhile, the government recently presented the ‘Bill to Revive Provisions of Some Nepal Acts, 2083’ in the House of Representatives. According to Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam, this bill is necessary to address the legal vacuum created after the ‘Ordinance on Special Provisions for Removal of Public Officials, 2083’ became inactive.
President Ramchandra Paudel ended the current session of the House of Representatives at midnight on Friday, based on the government’s recommendation.
