By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 11: Despite the protest by the lawmakers of the main opposition CPN-UML, Minister for Finance Janardan Sharma Prabhakar Friday presented the replacement bill related to the Budget ordinances in the House of Representatives (HoR).
The Finance Minister scurried to the podium avoiding the agitating UML lawmakers determined to prevent him from tabling the bill to revise the annual appropriation bill unveiled by the previous government led by UML chair KP Sharma Oli.

The HoR session of Friday was different from the session of the normal days as the angry UML lawmakers chanted slogans picketing the well throughout the meeting.
The main opposition party was unhappy with Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota as it alleged that he had a role in the split of the party.

CPN-UML had asked the Speaker to suspend 14 of its lawmakers from the parliament on August 17 before the party divided, but the Speaker did not take any decision for 13 days. Irked by the Speaker, the main opposition had officially decided to obstruct the House business.
However, the Speaker defended his move stating that it was an essential constitutional move. “Enough attention drawn, sit at your place and cooperate for a smooth parliamentary process,” the Speaker said. He also said it was lawmakers’ responsibility to conduct the House sessions smoothly and urged them to cooperate.

Earlier on Wednesday, the first session of the House was also obstructed by the UML lawmakers for the same reason, prompting the Speaker to postpone it for 15 minutes.
However, on Friday, the business continued despite obstruction from the main opposition. Lawmaker Prem Suwal from Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party presented his proposal not to approve the major and dependent ordinance bills in the House. “Presenting my proposal amid the protesting main opposition is difficult. Please create a suitable environment,” he asked the Speaker.

The Speaker, however, ignored his request and presented it for the approval in the House where the majority lawmakers rejected it. The Lower House rejected the ordinances with majority votes first, paving the way for the presentation of the replacement Bill.

Some of the UML lawmakers expressed their anger at the Speaker for continuing the session despite protest. Lawmaker Rekha Jha of the UML said that she was outraged at the unconstitutional acts of the Speaker. “I wish I could stop him for this,” she said.

Another lawmaker, Surendra Pandey said that he was confused to see the Speaker on such form. “Behaviour of the Speaker reminded me of the insurgency time. I was confused whether I was in the parliament,” he added.
Next session of the Lower House is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.