Tamang Questions Budget Fairness, Accuses DPMs of Favoritism

Raising serious concerns about fairness in the national budget, Nepali Congress lawmaker Purnabahadur Tamang on Sunday accused Deputy Prime Ministers Prakash Man Singh and Bishnu Paudel of misusing their positions to favour their own constituencies.

Speaking during the House of Representatives session, Tamang claimed that while districts like his own, Ramechhap, were overlooked, Singh and Paudel had funneled billions into their respective areas, Kathmandu and Rupandehi.

Tamang sarcastically ‘thanked’ Singh for allocating 207 development projects worth Rs 3 crore each to Kathmandu, calling it a biased act not in the spirit of national development. He similarly accused Finance Minister Paudel of giving 79 such packages to his home district of Rupandehi, comparing the allocation to an exchange of gifts between friends.

“Is this how the country should be governed?” Tamang questioned, adding, “Should only the two of you win elections and hold power?”

Though visibly upset, Tamang refrained from tearing the budget document, saying his Buddhist beliefs and respect for books prevented him from doing so.

In a dramatic close, he wished both leaders defeat in the 2084 general election and hinted at internal party actions against Singh in the upcoming Nepali Congress General Convention.