Oct 01, Kathmandu - Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Khusbu Oli has criticised lawmakers from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), saying it would be better to lose an election than remain silent on public concerns in Parliament while staging “revolutions” on social media.

Speaking at Thursday’s House of Representatives meeting, Oli questioned the role of ruling-party lawmakers and the government’s conduct. She said MPs should stop staying quiet when given the opportunity to speak in Parliament and then making a show of activism online.

“Stay silent when vehicles are parked in front of media houses, stay silent when there is discrimination in political appointments, and remain silent in the Cholendra Shumsher case?” she asked. “Parliament is a place to raise questions. No matter how loudly someone speaks on Facebook, they cannot claim to represent the people if they cannot speak up in Parliament. MPs have a responsibility to question even their own government.”

Oli also objected to remarks made by the foreign minister during an address to the Nepali community in the United States, in which the minister reportedly said dual citizenship would not be possible within five years.

She accused the government of backing away from granting citizenship despite the ruling coalition’s 182-seat majority and the opposition’s pledge of full support.

Raising the issue of non-resident Nepalis (NRNs), she asked why their votes and money were accepted but their citizenship agenda was not. She also questioned why the government could not ensure continuity of citizenship for NRNs.

Oli further alleged that while Nepalis were being denied citizenship, people from India, Bangladesh, Myanmar’s Rohingya community and Tibet were obtaining it illegally. She urged the government to investigate the claims immediately.