UML-Maoist lawmakers argue over use of term 'violence' in HoR

Kathmandu, Aug 28: Lawmakers representing the CPN (Maoist Centre) in the House of Representatives have objected to the term 'violence' that CPN (UML) lawmaker Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai pronounced in the course of delivering his views in the HoR session today.     

While airing his views in a special hour of the HoR meeting today, the UML lawmaker said, "The country failed to see progress due to the 10-year-long 'violence' of the Maoists and they also indulged in donations spree targeting hydropower developers."     

Amidst his views, the Maoist lawmakers objected to the word 'violence', demanding the House to delete it from the parliament's archive.     

Madhav Sapkota of the Maoist Centre accused Bhattarai of using an 'unparliamentary' term.     

In response, Speaker Devraj Ghimire said his attention was drawn towards the objection, urging for the operation of the regular business of the House.     

Not convinced by the Speaker's call, Devendra Paudel of the Maoist Centre requested the Speaker to withdraw the word from the parliament's record. As he said, such word does not match with the constitution. "The Constitution does not allow the right to anyone to derail the peace process by uttering such term."     

Similarly, party's Chief Whip Hitraj Pandey also objected to the use of the word, seeking its removal from the parliament's archive.     

However, UML lawmakers including Bhattarai and Raghuji Pant defended the 'charge'.     

"I have not blamed for the lack of progress in the country. But it is the study that Nepal would likely see a revolution in hydropower production if it did not witness the 10-year-long Maoist violence. Insecurity issues hampered potential investment in the hydropower sector. The load-shedding issue would end in 2065 BS if the violence was not launched."(RSS)