Shun House Obstruction

Parmeshwar Devkota

In the representative democratic political system, the role of the parliament remains very important. It is the place where people’s representatives are required to debate on the national and international issues and formulate laws to make the governance mechanisms functional. Otto Van Bismark says, “All government -- indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act -- is founded on compromise and barter.” They can discuss every issue under the sun, but as Bismark says they can talk only for compromise and barter. As the representatives of the people, they do not make any harsh decision on any voter, supporter or worker, but only ‘barter’, and ‘compromise’. 

Forgetting this ground reality, the main opposition CPN-UML has been stalling the House of Representatives (HoR) for the last three weeks demanding a high-level parliamentary body to probe into the sixty-kg gold scam. The House disruption has put the credibility of the opposition a stake. 

Being the people’s representatives, the deputies can discuss any issue. Oxford Dictionary defines the words ‘investigation’ as ‘an official examination of the facts about the situation, crime, …’ ; and ‘compromise’ as an ‘an agreement made between two people or groups in which each side gives up some of the things they want to so that both sides are happy at the end’. 

To insist on forming a political committee to investigate the matter generates doubt regarding the competency of Central Investigation Bureaus (CIB) of Nepal Police. The CIB is the relevant agency to investigate the crimes such as smuggling of gold. There is suspicion that the parliamentary panel might not bring the real culprit to book as the lawmakers do not have much professional skills to handle such sensitive matter.

The nation’s reputation suffers a blow if the criminals and culprits are not punished for their wrongdoings. So the state must not let them go scot-free. For this, professional security personnel are needed to investigate into the illegal import of gold. The word ‘investigation’ may sound harsh for politicians as they carry out the task of making and implementing laws and regulations within the constitutional framework.  Therefore, the job of investigation does suit them. It is the job of trained and skilled manpower. 

Keeping this in view, the State has set up specific institutions such as court, Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and other organisations. To conduct extensive investigation into the criminal cases of different nature, the CIB has been formed. 

So, the political parties and the people’s representatives should start trusting the investigation initiated by the CIB. Failure to pin faith on the state’s mechanisms undermines their integrity. Instead of putting irrational demand, the UML should press the government to enhance the capacity of institutions assigned to check crimes, corruption and illegal works. By holding the House hostage, it has halted the democratic process.

Therefore, the main opposition must be ready to resume the House proceedings. Otherwise, it should be ready to face the ire of voters in the forthcoming elections as they can now scrutinise the activities of every political force.