KATHMANDU: Opposition parties are set to continue obstructing parliament on Tuesday, demanding Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s resignation over the visit visa scandal.

The standoff is likely to delay discussions on the national budget. The CPN (Maoist Centre) and Rastriya Swatantra Party remain firm in their stance, arguing that the Home Minister must step aside to ensure an impartial investigation.

Although Lekhak has not been personally accused, opposition leaders point to his ministry’s involvement and say good governance demands accountability.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s Monday meeting with senior leaders, including Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, ended without breaking the parliamentary deadlock.

Despite the gridlock, Oli has indicated that the government may proceed with or without the opposition’s cooperation. The Maoist Centre accuses the Prime Minister of attempting to bulldoze ahead without political consensus, warning that unilateral decisions threaten democratic norms.

They argue that the constitution was achieved through collective effort and cannot be protected through forceful actions.

Citing past remarks by Lekhak on moral responsibility, the opposition insists he follow the same standards now. They argue that stepping aside temporarily would not be a punishment but a gesture to uphold transparency.

While allowing the budget to be tabled to avoid further economic strain, the opposition says continued obstruction is necessary unless the Home Minister clears the way for investigation. They maintain the issue is not political posturing but a matter of governance integrity.