Our opinion is clear that study and investigation should be done in the case of visit visa. The ruling party should also be responsible for not affecting the functioning of the parliament.'
The main opposition party, including the Maoist Center, has been blocking Parliament for two weeks, demanding the formation of an inquiry committee on the visit visa issue. Although the obstruction of parliament was lifted on May 15, the day of presenting the budget for the financial year 2082/083, the meetings of the House of Representatives have been disrupted since then.
Although the opposition backed away from the demand that Home Minister Ramesh Akhtar should resign in the case of visit visa and was ready to form an inquiry committee, no agreement was reached. The deadlock in the parliament continues as the ruling party and the opposition could not agree on the 'TOR' of the inquiry committee. Maoist Deputy General Secretary Shakti Basnet, who participated in the meeting to resolve the deadlock in Parliament, said that although there is a theoretical agreement between the parties, the final form is yet to be given.
In response to the question, 'Why is the Parliament hostage when there is a serious discussion on the budget?', Basnet said, 'The visit visa issue has become a national issue. Therefore, a detailed inquiry committee is necessary for this. Efforts are being made to come to an agreement on that.'' In this context, Maoist Deputy Secretary General Basnet for Kantipur Ganga BC Edited part of the conversation:
When there is a serious discussion on the budget presented in the parliament, the opposition has started to accuse the parliament of holding it hostage, isn't it?
Every day efforts are being made for consensus. But the deadlock in the parliament has not been resolved. Discussions are progressing towards an agreement between the parties. Our party president Prachanda is outside the valley. There will be a final discussion tomorrow Thursday after returning to Kathmandu. Consent is not only desired by the opposition, the ruling party must also be ready. We have been flexible to agree.
It is heard that an agreement has been being tried for many days, but the knot of the problem has not been solved!
No one has any objection to studying and investigating the case of visit visa. Now there is a discussion on how to finalize the theoretical agreement. Who will investigate? The discussion is focused on how to do it. The authority is also investigating this matter. The next inquiry committee is yet to agree on a concrete mandate on how to investigate. Now this will be discussed at the top level. It seems that a positive conclusion will be reached on Thursday after President Prachanda returns to Kathmandu.
judicial investigation committee or parliamentary in the case of visit visa?
This issue is yet to be resolved. Now it will be discussed. There is an opinion that it is better to form a judicial committee as much as possible. Because the visit visa issue is not a common issue. A detailed investigation is necessary. It can also show the way to prevent such cases from happening in the future.
Did the UML, which led the government to reach consensus, look indifferent? All parties are engaged in discussion that
should be agreed upon. It was the previous situation that there was no need to form an inquiry committee. Recent discussions are positive. It is believed that all matters will be resolved on Thursday.
What is the purpose of holding the Parliament hostage for a serious discussion about the budget?
After the budget was presented in the parliament, it could not be discussed. This has happened in the past as well. After the opening of the parliament, a nine-ten hour long meeting can be held to discuss. Everyone knows how the budget is passed. There is a process. However, the budget will be discussed after the opening of the parliament.
Who is more responsible for blocking the parliament?
may have their own claims on this matter. After the visit visa issue, there is no opposition to the fact that there should be an investigation. It has been agreed in principle to investigate. The ruling party still needs to be serious about this matter.
When the parliament is blocked, the necessary bills are also stuck, right?
The bill is being discussed in the committees which are considered mini parliaments. There is agreement on some bills.
It is said that there is an agreement between the Congress and the Maoists to 'go together' in the case of visit visas?
All parties are in the process of agreeing to form an investigation committee. Who is close and who is far depends on the context.
Then why was the Maoist flexible about asking for the resignation of the Home Minister? Our opinion is clear that study and investigation should be done on the
visit visa case. The ruling party should also be responsible for not affecting the functioning of the parliament. Maoists have been responsible for finding consensus. It is better not to be confused about this.
