‘Black Friday’ in Nepal over budget
Nepal’s parliamentary history witnessed its darkest chapter late on Friday night when lawmakers attacked each other over presentation of the country’s budget.
Nepal’s parliamentary history witnessed its darkest chapter late on Friday night when lawmakers attacked each other over presentation of the country’s budget.
Opposition Maoist lawmakers attacked finance minister Surendra Pandey while he was about to table the much delayed budget and snatched the briefcase containing the document.
Pandey and energy minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, who tried to intervene, sustained minor injuries. The budget, which has already got delayed by four months couldn’t be tabled.
The unruly scenes lasting several minutes forced Speaker Subhash Nemwang to adjourn proceedings till December 2 when the 17th round of voting to elect a new prime minister will take place.
Faced with an impending economic crisis due to delay in presentation of the budget, the government will get it passed through an ordinance on Saturday.
Reactions to the incident
“The incident is an unfortunate and regrettable happening in our parliamentary history. The guilty will be punished as per parliamentary regulations.” Subhash Nemwang, Speaker. “The Maoists behavior was deplorable. It is an attack on democracy.” Ram Chandra Poudel, Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader
“Friday’s incident was unfortunate, but normal.” Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman, United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).