A meeting of Nepal’s House of Representatives, scheduled for Wednesday, remains uncertain due to an ongoing dispute over the visit visa scandal. Opposition parties continue to demand the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, saying it is necessary for a fair investigation.
On Tuesday, the Parliament Secretariat postponed the scheduled session after talks between the ruling coalition and the opposition failed to resolve the conflict. The House was originally set to meet at 11 a.m. but was delayed to 2 p.m. As no agreement was reached, it was again postponed to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire made efforts to mediate between the two sides. He hosted two rounds of talks on Tuesday, involving leaders and chief whips from both the government and the opposition. Despite hours of discussions, there was no progress. The opposition refused to take part in any legislative activities unless Home Minister Lekhak resigned from his position.
The opposition parties have put forward three demands. First, they want a high-level investigation committee to probe the misuse of visit visas from the time of the Labor Act’s implementation in 2064 BS to the present. Second, they insist on the immediate resignation of the Home Minister. They believe his presence in office could influence the investigation process. Third, they want the Prime Minister to address the House, take responsibility, and give a clear commitment to resolving the issue.
The visa controversy has become a major political issue in Nepal. It involves claims that thousands of people were sent abroad using visit visas when they were actually migrating for work. This practice exposed many citizens to abuse and exploitation in foreign countries. Activists and migration experts have raised concerns about how long this has been going on and why no strong action was taken earlier.
Speaker Ghimire is under pressure to keep Parliament functioning. But with the opposition standing firm, the situation remains tense. If the House meeting does not take place again, it could affect other important legislative work. This includes the discussion of financial bills and development plans.
The ruling parties have not agreed to Lekhak’s resignation. They argue that removing him under pressure could set a bad example and weaken the government’s stability. So far, the Home Minister himself has made no public statement about stepping down.
This deadlock is happening at a time when Nepal is already facing challenges in governance, employment, and migration management. Each year, thousands of Nepalis leave the country to work abroad. Remittances from these workers are a key part of the economy. Any issue related to labor migration, including visa fraud, can hurt both individuals and national interests.
Countries such as Malaysia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are common destinations for Nepali workers. The visa controversy could damage Nepal’s relationship with these nations. It could also raise doubts about how seriously the government takes the safety and rights of its citizens working overseas.
Many Nepali families rely on foreign employment for survival. Misuse of the visa system means more people are being sent into risky and unregulated conditions. That is why the demand for a thorough and independent investigation has gained wide public support.
If the political standoff continues, more disruptions are likely. The opposition may hold protests both inside and outside Parliament. This could increase tension across the country. Experts say the government must act quickly to prevent the issue from turning into a full political crisis.
What happens next depends on whether a compromise can be found. The Speaker may call another round of talks, but without a clear shift in position from either side, the path forward remains blocked. The Prime Minister’s response will be important. If he addresses the concerns openly and offers a path to fair investigation, it might ease the situation.
For now, the nation watches and waits. The future of the current House session, and possibly of other important government activities, is tied to a single question: Will the Home Minister resign?
