Kathmandu: Political tensions in the federal parliament have deepened after opposition parties warned they would again obstruct proceedings if Prime Minister Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, fails to attend Thursday’s House meeting in person.

Following repeated disruptions and sloganeering by opposition lawmakers on Wednesday, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal revised the parliamentary agenda and postponed the House meeting until 11:00 am Thursday.

The opposition has been demanding the Prime Minister’s mandatory presence during discussions on the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2083/84. In response, the Speaker removed several agenda items from Wednesday’s schedule and introduced a new agenda in accordance with Rule 38(1) of the House of Representatives Regulations 2079 BS.

According to the revised agenda, Thursday’s meeting will include discussions on amendment proposals related to the government’s annual policies and programs, followed by a response from the Prime Minister. Preparations are also underway to move the policies and programs toward endorsement and continue the budget process.

The dispute began after the policies and programs presented last Monday by President Ram Chandra Poudel were tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle instead of Prime Minister Balen. Opposition parties objected strongly, arguing that the Prime Minister himself should lead discussions on such a significant national agenda.

Criticism against Balen has also intensified after he reportedly left the parliamentary session midway during the President’s address. Opposition leaders and even supporters of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party have questioned his continued absence from parliament and public addresses since assuming office.

Labor Culture Party Chairman Harkaraj Rai criticized the Prime Minister’s absence, stating that if Balen continued avoiding parliament, the country should be considered as functioning “without a prime minister.” Rai later boycotted the parliamentary session.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly is also scheduled to convene at 11:15 am Thursday to continue discussions on the government’s policies and programs.

The government is under increasing pressure to complete parliamentary deliberations and endorse the policies before the annual budget presentation. However, the ongoing confrontation between the ruling side and opposition parties over the Prime Minister’s participation continues to affect the parliamentary process.