Kathmandu: Nepali Communist Party lawmaker and former Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has questioned the intentions of the government, accusing it of weakening parliamentary discussion processes and creating confusion over its political direction.

Speaking to journalists outside the parliament building after Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Pun said even lawmakers from the ruling side appeared helpless regarding decisions being made by the government.

“The honorable members of the ruling party also seemed helpless, as if saying, ‘The government brought it, so why would they oppose it?’” Pun said. “If MPs are not allowed to meaningfully participate in discussions and decisions are being made only by a few executives in the government, then why are so many MPs needed?”

Pun criticized the government for delaying the parliamentary session and compressing discussions on budget principles and priorities into a very short period.

“There is a legal provision that discussions should be completed 15 days before the budget presentation,” he said. “But by calling parliament late, the government created a situation where discussions had to be rushed within a day.”

He alleged that the government’s intention appeared to be to “trap parliament” by limiting time for debate and scrutiny.

However, Pun said the government had later committed to allowing further discussions on the budget in the coming days and to incorporating issues raised by lawmakers into the final budget preparation process.

Despite time pressure, he noted that discussions on the budget’s principles and priorities had continued for around three days, though some time was reduced after other bills were introduced during the session.

Pun also argued that contradictions existed within the government’s policies, programs and priorities, and challenged the administration to clearly explain its ideological direction and long-term goals.

Although he described Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle as experienced, Pun said the new government should present a clearer economic vision.

He suggested the government adopt a three-pillar economic policy that balances the public sector, private sector and cooperatives while prioritizing production growth, employment generation and relief for poor and marginalized communities.

Pun further stated that the ruling side appeared to have acted in haste during the recommendation process for the appointment of the new Chief Justice, another issue that has recently sparked political controversy.