Meeting with party whips convened by Speaker inconclusive

Kathmandu, Sept 15: The meeting called by House of Representatives Speaker Devraj Ghimire has ended inconclusively. 

The Speaker had convened the meeting with the Chief Whips of national parties representing in the HoR at his office in Singha Durbar for conducting the House proceedings without obstruction. However, the meeting could not reach a concrete decision. The HoR meeting was called for 1.00pm today.

Talking to the media persons following the meeting, Chief Whip of the main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre), Hitraj Pandey said that they are opposed to the views related to the "People's War" as expressed in parliament and this should be amended. 

According to him, the opinions expressed in the meeting would be discussed by the Maoist Centre parliamentary party. 

Chief Whip of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Santosh Pariyar stated that the CPN (UML) Chief Whip informed the meeting that the UML was not taking any action in connection to the Deputy Speaker. "We thanked them, saying let there be no any ill-intention in the coming days," he said.

The ruling party lawmakers had put their views in the meeting of the HoR last week that the Deputy Speaker had not carried out her duty as per her office conduct.

UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula said discussions were held in the meeting regarding the smooth operation of the HoR's business. He stated that it is the duty of all the political parties and lawmakers to keep the dignity of the parliament intact. Regarding the topic of Deputy Speaker, he said although the ruling parties have held internal discussions, no decision has been made on this topic.

According to him, all parties have accepted that the Deputy Speaker 'inadvertently' committed weakness while sending letter to the US Embassy for fast-tracking the visa interview of certain individuals. 

The UML lawmakers had, in the previous meetings of the House of Representatives, urged the Deputy Speaker to resign from her post over this matter. (RSS)