Amresh Kumar Singh Accuses Balen Shah Government of Undermining Constitution and Running ‘Authoritarian’ Rule

KATHMANDU, September 10, 2026: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh has accused Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government of failing to follow the Constitution, arguing that the country’s parliamentary system is increasingly being replaced by what he described as an “advisor-driven” and “hukum-style” system of governance.

Speaking during a special session of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Singh said Nepal was already facing a difficult situation due to the massive losses caused by floods and landslides, while the government was allegedly failing to operate according to constitutional principles.

‘Government Centre Has Shifted to Jwagal’

Singh questioned the growing influence of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in government decision-making.

He said Nepal’s parliamentary system is based on a prime ministerial form of government, but claimed that the current administration was increasingly functioning through advisers rather than established state mechanisms.

“We understood Singha Durbar to be the centre of government, but now the centre of government has become Jwagal,” Singh said.

He also questioned under which provision of the Constitution or law such a style of governance was being operated.

Questions Over Interference In State Institutions

Singh also raised concerns about alleged interference in the civil service and state institutions.

He referred to an alleged incident involving the Director General of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, claiming that the official was threatened with a pistol and pressured to issue a Red Corner Notice within two hours.

Singh argued that using threats or pressure to make state officials act would undermine the principle of rule of law.

Criticism Over Treatment Of Ministers

The RSP lawmaker also brought up the resignation of former Industry Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav, questioning the alleged use of police in matters involving ministers.

He argued that if a minister’s performance is unsatisfactory, the Prime Minister has the authority to remove that minister, but questioned whether the Prime Minister’s Secretariat should be involved in using police against a minister.

Singh said such practices raised serious questions about how the government and its powerful offices were functioning.

‘Constitutional Principles Are Being Attacked’

Singh’s remarks came as Nepal continues to deal with the consequences of the recent floods and landslides, which he said had caused trillions of rupees in economic damage.

He argued that the government should focus on following constitutional procedures and strengthening institutions rather than concentrating decision-making around a small group of advisers.

Singh’s criticism is particularly notable because Prime Minister Balen Shah and Singh are both associated with the Rastriya Swatantra Party, making the remarks an internal challenge to the government’s working style.

He called on the government to move away from what he described as an “advisor system” and “hukum-style rule” and operate according to the Constitution, law and established democratic procedures.