KATHMANDU: Whip of the Nepali Congress Nischal Rai has said that opposition parties will continue their protest if Prime Minister Balendra Shah does not attend the parliamentary debate on the government’s policies and programs.

Speaking in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, Rai accused Prime Minister Shah of weakening democracy by avoiding questions and parliamentary scrutiny.

“Has the Prime Minister escaped questions and tried to weaken democracy?” Rai said. “If the Prime Minister remains absent, the protest will continue.”

He said Parliament is not a place where leaders can come and go at will like a casual meeting venue, adding that it is regrettable for an executive head to skip such an important institution.

Rai also questioned the Prime Minister’s absence despite being in the country and located just about 100 meters away from Parliament during another program, asking how such conduct should be interpreted.

Opposition lawmakers have been pressing for the Prime Minister’s presence in the House to respond to queries regarding the government’s policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27.

Wednesday’s session of the House of Representatives was obstructed by opposition parties over Prime Minister Balen Shah’s absence, as MPs demanded his presence to respond to questions regarding the government’s policy and program.