KATHMANDU, June 20: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of top leaders during the question-and-answer session with the PM in the House of Representatives meeting on Thursday.

In a brief speech following his responses to the MPs' questions, PM Dahal voiced his concerns about the declining attendance of prominent leaders and ministers during such sessions.

"I would like to draw the attention of all honorable members to one thing," PM Dahal said, "Regardless of tradition, custom, and the dignity of our parliament, it has been a historical norm in Nepal that when the Prime Minister speaks, all leaders and ministers, except in emergencies, are present. This trend is now diminishing, potentially devaluing the office of the Prime Minister."

PM Dahal concluded by warning that the continued absence of leaders could further undermine the position of the Prime Minister.

During the session, key figures such as KP Sharma Oli, chairman of the ruling coalition's largest party, CPN-UML; Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of the main opposition party, Nepali Congress; and Madhav Kumar Nepal, chairman of the CPN Unified Socialist Party, were notably absent. 

The overall attendance of MPs was very low, with many seats visibly empty, prompting further dissatisfaction from PM Dahal.