UML lifts house obstruction after PM Dahal’s explanation about his controversial statement

I regret speaking those words, but they spontaneously came to my mind, and I let them slip: PM Dahal

KATHMANDU, July 10: The main opposition party, CPN-UML, has agreed to lift the ongoing House obstruction following the clarification of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal over his controversial statement last week.

Addressing a function organized in the capital last week, Prime Minister Dahal had appreciated Sardar Pritam Singh for seeking New Delhi’s support to make him prime minister, prompting UML to obstruct parliament from Wednesday.

Clarifying his controversial statement in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Dahal acknowledged his lapse in judgment during the speech delivered at a book release event. Dahal provided an explanation after the UML obstructed parliament over his remarks that suggested that Sardar Singh had made multiple visits to India with the intention of positioning himself as the prime minister.

Speaking from the podium of the HoR, Prime Minister Dahal elaborated on the context of his speech. He shared that during a time when his elder daughter Gyanu was critically ill with cancer, his son Prakash had taken him to Delhi, where they sought treatment and temporarily stayed at Pritam Singh's residence.

During their stay, Sardar Singh had mentioned that Dahal should become the prime minister. "He wasn't proposing himself as the prime minister, nor was it a matter of me appointing him as one,” clarified Dahal.

Dahal mentioned that the memory of his daughter Gyanu resting in bed had crossed his mind. Reflecting on this, he stated, "Everyone here is aware of my sentimental nature. So, what can I say? I regret speaking those words, but they spontaneously came to my mind, and I let them slip."

Acknowledging that he should not have made those remarks as the prime minister, Dahal emphasized, "However, that day, I didn't speak as the prime minister. I spoke as Gyanu's father, influenced by those emotions. I was there to express gratitude to Pritam Singh for his unwavering support."

He also mentioned that he has been introspecting about his inherent emotional nature.

Meanwhile, UML Chief Whip Padam Giri said that the UML has acknowledged Prime Minister' Dahals statement made in parliament. Talking to media persons after the parliament meeting on Monday, Giri informed that the UML has taken the remarks of Prime Minister Dahal positively as he has committed to refrain from repeating such mistakes in the future.