Parliament can’t be taken hostage for long: Speaker Ghimire

Kathmandu: Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Devraj Ghimire, has said the parliament, which needs to make decision based on people's mandate, can not be taken a hostage for long. Speaker Ghimire however said all sides' cooperation is essential to run parliament smoothly. He said it while addressing a discussion the FNJ Associate Province Committee organized in the federal capital, marking its fourth general assembly today. The current session of the parliament is responsible for holding deliberation on government policies and programmes and due to pass various significant bills, so it needs running unobstructed, Speaker Ghimire said, adding that if the atmosphere eludes for normal passage of policies and programmes and budget, even the alternative measure like ordinance could be adopted. "If such condition emerges, it derails democratic way," he reminded, adding that Prime Minister has sought time for trust vote as well. The Speaker urged all political parties and journalists to extend suppor tive role to run the parliament in a normal manner. Journalists could write in a way their reporting contributes to political stability and prosperity, according to him. Ghimire however said no political party is able to collect majority of votes owing to proportional system. On the occasion, Nepali Congress leader and former Minister for Communications Dr Minendra Rijal viewed absence of individual freedom reflects fragile democracy. Democracy is adversely impacted once the selfish and authoritarian ambition of leaders elected by people rules the roost, according to him. Leader Rijal argued loktantra has no alternative but loktantra. Moreover, he viewed editorial freedom is essential for press freedom. Rijal urged the journalists to be aware that present constitution would meet casualty if no substantial change is witnessed in present system. Former presidents of FNJ, sitting president, and province committee president were felicitated on the occasion. Noted journalists Ram Krishna Regmi and Yubraj Ghim ire presented their views on how the journalists could hone their modern skills to suit time needs. Source: National News Agency RSS