The Prime Minister’s Place Is in Parliament

In a parliamentary system, the government may be formed by a majority, but Parliament belongs to the people, not the government. A majority can bring a government to power, but it cannot free it from accountability to Parliament. In fact, a strong majority carries an even greater responsibility to remain answerable. The House of Representatives election was held on March 5 on the strength of the Gen Z uprising, with voters giving the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) a near two-thirds majority. RSP senior leader Balendra Shah became prime minister, while another party leader, DP Aryal, took charge as speaker. Prime Minister Shah had long portrayed himself as different from conventional party politicians. Critics, including some within his own party, had warned that the multiparty and parliamentary systems could prove burdensome for him. Events since his assumption of the office as the prime minister appear to have reinforced those concerns. As prime minister, Shah has struggled to demonstrate accountability not only to Parliament, the country’s highest representative institution, but also to his own party and parliamentary party. When the president delivered the government’s policy and programs in Parliament on May 29, Shah left the parliament abruptly and has since rarely attended its meetings. His presence at party and parliamentary party meetings has been even more limited, raising questions about his commitment to the pluralistic parliamentary system.

Over the past five months, the prime minister’s conduct has reinforced the perception that the executive is treating Parliament as secondary. Opposition lawmakers have repeatedly sought his presence, while even RSP lawmakers have looked for answers from their own government. The speaker, meanwhile, appeared reluctant to compel the prime minister to attend the House. Belatedly, however, Speaker Aryal on Monday directed the prime minister to appear in Parliament and answer lawmakers’ questions under Rules 56 to 60 of the House Rules. He has also scheduled a direct question-and-answer session with the prime minister for August 26 under Rule 56. Whatever the political considerations behind the move, the speaker has finally asserted Parliament’s role and reminded the government that it must remain accountable to the people through their elected representatives. The significance of the session goes beyond a routine parliamentary exercise. The question is not simply whether the prime minister will attend, but how seriously and honestly he will respond to lawmakers. His conduct will offer a measure of his commitment to parliamentary democracy. Parliament is not an obstacle to the government; it is the institution that holds it accountable. When the government was formed, it promised administrative reform, good governance and improved service delivery. How much has been achieved? How much is being implemented, and how much remains stalled? These are questions citizens are entitled to have answered through Parliament.

The prime minister is the head of government, not the head of Parliament. The government is accountable to Parliament, which represents the people. Questions raised by lawmakers should not be viewed as unnecessary pressure but as a fundamental part of democratic governance. Parliament should instead be seen as an opportunity for the government to explain and defend its performance. Has service delivery really improved? Have administrative decisions become faster and more transparent? Do citizens actually feel the presence of the government? These are the questions that will ultimately determine its success. A government does not become stronger by weakening Parliament. The need for the speaker to issue a ruling compelling the prime minister to attend the House is itself an unsettling sign for parliamentary democracy. Shah may enjoy considerable popularity, including on social media, but popularity cannot replace accountability. Popularity reflects public opinion; accountability is the foundation of democracy. The prime minister must therefore respect not only the Constitution and citizens but also those who voted for him. A majority can bring a government to power, but it cannot exempt that government from accountability. Power may distance itself from Parliament, but democracy cannot. The prime minister must understand that Parliament is not a place to evade, but an institution to hear, engage with and respect.