Buffalo Drama in Parliament: RSP MP’s ‘Buffalo’ Remark Creates Chaos

In a recent session of the Nepalese Parliament, a heated confrontation between members of the ruling Maoist party and the opposition ensued following remarks made by Rashtriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Shishir Khanal. The objectionable comments sparked a contentious debate, leading to an intense dispute between the two factions within the legislative body.

The controversy arose when MP Khanal said that there were discussions circulating about the Prime Minister’s arrival from India “on a buffalo.” Expressing his dissatisfaction, Khanal added, “We had hoped the prime minister would travel by plane and land at the Pokhara Airport, which he had inaugurated. However, reports surfaced indicating that he had instead chosen to ride a buffalo.”

The statement immediately drew the ire of several MPs, including Maoist chief whip Hitraj Pandey, who promptly rose to protest against the use of such language in the parliamentary proceedings. Pandey argued that referring to a buffalo as a means of transportation was inappropriate and urged that the comment be expunged from the official record, citing its unparliamentary nature.

In response to Pandey’s demand, MPs from the UML party also expressed their dissent by emphasizing the importance of allowing MPs to freely ask questions in the parliamentary forum.