KATHMANDU: A meeting convened by Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire to end the ongoing parliamentary deadlock ended without conclusion after ruling party leaders rejected the opposition’s key demands: the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and a parliamentary investigation into the visit visa scandal.

“The meeting failed to reach any conclusion after ruling party leaders refused to agree with the opposition’s demands that the Home Minister resign and that an investigation be launched into the visit visa case,” an opposition leader told reporters following the talks.

Parliament has remained dysfunctional for six consecutive sessions, with opposition parties staging protests inside the chamber.

The deadlock began after reports surfaced alleging large-scale human trafficking under the guise of visit visas, allegedly facilitated by government protection and political collusion.

The opposition bloc, led by the CPN (Maoist Center), has accused the ruling coalition—particularly the Nepali Congress and UML leadership—of shielding the home minister and attempting to downplay the severity of the scandal.

They are demanding the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the alleged abuse of authority and human trafficking involving Nepali citizens.

Following the presentation of the annual budget on May 29, the House was scheduled to resume on June 3. However, no legislative business has been conducted between June 3 and June 9 due to continued disruptions.