KATHMANDU: Lawmakers from the Shram Sanskriti Party staged a walkout from Parliament on Tuesday after Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) failed to appear in the House to respond to discussions on the government’s policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year.

The protest was led by party chair Harka Sampang, who demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation after Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle prepared to present responses on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The opposition disrupted proceedings as discussions on the policies and programs were set to begin, accusing the prime minister of avoiding parliamentary accountability. They also demanded clarification over the Prime Minister’s whereabouts.

Sampang initially attended the meeting but later walked out after Speaker DP Aryal granted speaking time to the lead opposition. The walkout came amid escalating criticism from opposition lawmakers over the prime minister’s absence during a key parliamentary session.