The first session of the newly elected House of Representatives opened on Thursday to an atmosphere of intense political friction, as ruling and opposition parties traded sharp barbs even before regular proceedings could begin. The session was marked by a significant “argy-bargy” that set a contentious tone for the legislative term ahead. The friction was ignited primarily by the recent arrests of CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak, who were detained on charges of negligence following the fatalities during the September “Gen Z” movement.
Lawmakers from the CPN-UML immediately stood in protest to register their reservations, characterizing the arrests as a form of political vendetta. This prompted a cross-party meeting of top leaders to address the opening session. Taking the floor, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane delivered a scathing critique of Nepal’s traditional political parties. He claimed that previous administrations had failed the public due to a systemic lack of transparency and accountability. Lamichhane vowed that the RSP-led government would break from past “wrongful practices,” such as using ordinances to protect allies, promising instead a tenure defined by merit and the rule of law.
Defending the controversial arrests, Lamichhane stated that the “right to justice belongs to martyrs and their families,” rejecting the opposition’s claims of revenge. His address also touched upon social justice, as he issued a formal apology to the Dalit community for centuries of systemic oppression, labeling untouchability an “organized crime.” Furthermore, he reassured the private sector that the era of “middlemen and mafias” was over, promising a business environment free from political pressure.
The opposition was quick to counter what they termed a “disingenuous” narrative. Nepali Congress leader Bhishmaraj Aangdembe argued that it was misleading to claim nothing had been achieved in previous decades. He pointed to the expansion of rural roads, electricity, drinking water, and communication services as tangible results of past policies. While admitting that governance had weaknesses, he cautioned against weaving a narrative that ignored historical progress. He also raised doubts regarding the investigation into the gutting of Singha Durbar during the recent uprising.
The most biting criticism came from UML parliamentary party leader Ram Bahadur Thapa, who mocked the RSP’s landslide victory. He sarcastically credited the bureaucracy, the Nepali Army, and various NGOs for orchestrating what he termed a “color revolution” that legitimized the RSP’s power. Despite the verbal sparring, the House unanimously endorsed a proposal to operate under the 2022 regulations until new rules are adopted. With the RSP holding a dominant 182 seats in the 275-member House, the session concluded with the nomination of a panel of lawmakers to chair meetings in the Speaker’s absence, signaling the start of a challenging legislative journey.