Nepali Times
From The Nepali Press
It’s protocol, stupid



Q Parliamentary sessions have been stalled. How do you view this situation?
A This calls for serious thinking. The events taking place, not allowing the House to function properly, are of grave concern. I consider myself a serious politician too, and therefore I think the present happenings are not good and will send out a very bad picture to the people.

Q What do you think is the way out of the present situation?
A The only way out, as I see it, is for a dialogue among all parties concerned. There is no other way out.

Q It seems a dialogue has failed. Now what?
A I do not think the dialogue has failed, none of the concerned parties have said so. Also, it has not reached a point where the problems are intractable. I am trying to get the different parties to sit down for a dialogue-I have met leaders of the opposition and leaders of my own party in this regard. Even the PM is keen on a dialogue. Everyone is worried, even the opposition.

Q. What is the view of the opposition?
A. Well, they are still sticking to their earlier demands. They too want an end to this problem. They too are worried, but it is not too late yet. If the ruling party and the opposition get together and hold a dialogue, then everything will be solved. This will benefit the country and parliament.
Q. Do you think the present parliamentary session will end now?
A. I do not think such a situation will arise. We are the officials who can call for or adjourn parliament.


Q If parliament goes into recess in such a situation, what will happen?
A That will be of no benefit for the country or democracy. If parliament does not meet in a democracy, then it becomes a peculiar event. From all points of view, parliament must sit in session, and every party should be serious about this. We have to get parliament working and functional.nevertheless.

Q On one hand parliament is not functioning, and on the other the royal seal has not been applied to bills passed by parliament. What is your opinion?
A Recently, a newspaper article accused me of being guilty with regard to the status of the Citizenship Bill. If I am termed guilty in a personal manner, there is no harm, but calling the Speaker guilty is problematic. Only a person who has not read the constitution will call a Speaker guilty. On the issues of ordinances, the constitution has provided a lot of power to the Speaker. At present, the Supreme Court is discussing the bill in question. Therefore, I cannot comment on it.


LATEST ISSUE
638
(11 JAN 2013 - 17 JAN 2013)


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