CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel criticised the working style of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government at a press meet in Butwal on Monday, saying its activities were weakening democratic values, the constitution and constitutional bodies. Speaking at an event organised by Press Chautari Nepal, Rupandehi, Pokharel questioned who was actually running the country and argued that the prime minister did not appear accountable to any political party, Parliament or citizens. He compared the handling of the state’s responsibilities to a game of Bhandakuti. Nepal Press and Khabarhub reported his remarks.
Concerns over democratic values and constitutional institutions
Pokharel’s central criticism was that the government’s way of working was, in his view, undermining the foundations of democratic governance. He specifically referred to democratic values, the constitution and constitutional bodies, placing his objections in the context of the institutions and principles that guide the state. His comments were directed at the government led by Shah, whom he said did not appear to be answerable to established political and public forums.
The remarks framed the issue as more than a disagreement over the government’s day-to-day conduct. By referring to the constitution and constitutional bodies, Pokharel raised concerns about how public authority is exercised and how the country’s governing institutions are respected. These were his criticisms at the press meet; the reports presented them as Pokharel’s assessment of the government’s conduct, rather than as findings by an independent body.
Questions about accountability
At the event, Pokharel questioned who was actually running the country. He also said the prime minister did not appear accountable to any political party, Parliament or citizens. The three points of accountability he named span political, parliamentary and public arenas, making answerability a central theme of his criticism.
His comments challenged the relationship between the prime minister and those institutions and people to whom Pokharel said a head of government should be accountable. He did not simply criticise the government’s working style in general terms; he connected that criticism to questions about who exercises authority and who can call the government to account. The reports of his remarks did not describe a response from the prime minister or the government.
Bhandakuti comparison
Pokharel described the state’s responsibilities as being treated like a game of Bhandakuti. The comparison conveyed his disapproval of what he characterised as an unserious approach to the duties of government. In the context of his other comments, the metaphor accompanied his concerns about democratic values, constitutional safeguards and accountability.
The press meet was organised by Press Chautari Nepal, Rupandehi, in Butwal. Pokharel’s remarks there brought together his objections to the government’s working style and his questions about the prime minister’s accountability. The available reports focus on those criticisms and do not provide further details about specific government actions he was referring to.
His comments add to the public debate over how the government is conducting its work and how its leadership relates to political parties, Parliament and citizens. Pokharel’s position, as reported from the Butwal press meet, was that the government’s approach risks weakening democratic and constitutional institutions. The reports did not include a government response to that assessment.
