Opposition parties had been demanding Shah’s presence since May, accusing him of avoiding parliamentary scrutiny. Lawmakers have also questioned his continued absence during a debate on communal unrest in Sunsari.
The ruling ended a 77-day opposition protest over Shah’s failure to clarify his border remarks.
“I rule that the right honourable prime minister attend the meeting of the House of Representatives and answer questions from honourable members,” he said. Shram Sanskriti Party lawmaker Harka Rai rejected a subsequent clarification by foreign minister Shishir Khanal, saying the person who made the mistake “must come and rectify it”. Khanal had told the House that Shah was referring to cross-border occupation and encroachment in no-man’s-land areas rather than a formal Nepalese territorial claim over Indian land.
Aryal issued the directive after repeated demands from opposition lawmakers for Shah to face Parliament. Under House rules, the first hour of one sitting in the first week of every month is reserved for lawmakers to directly question the PM. Opposition parties demanded evidence, withdrawal of the statement and an apology, arguing that it weakened Nepal’s position on Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.
Shah’s May 31 appearance triggered a bigger confrontation.
Responding to a question on Nepal’s border dispute with India, Shah said, “After becoming PM, I came to know that not only has India encroached on Nepal’s land, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land. He added: “Both sides need to sit down and look into the matter.” “Has the PM escaped questions and tried to weaken democracy? Rai asked, adding, “If the prime minister remains absent, the protest will continue.
Nepali Congress whip Nischal Rai had warned that opposition protests would continue unless Shah appeared before the House.