The main opposition CPN-UML has withdrawn its protest and decided to lift its monthslong obstructions of the House.

The single largest party had been obstructing businesses of both the Houses of the federal parliament since September 8 last year objecting to the decision of Speaker Agni Sapkota not to expel 14 of its lawmakers who later formed the CPN (Unified Socialist).

The UML on August 17 had written to the Parliament Secretariat, asking it to expel 14 of its lawmakers. However, Sapkota took no action until August 29 when he issued a statement saying there was no need to take action against the said UML lawmakers as they had already split to form a new party.

Taking umbrage at the Speaker, the main opposition resorted to protests, obstructing proceedings of both the houses of the federal parliament. They were demanding that the Speaker must take action against the 14 lawmakers.

However, on the first day of the 11th session of the federal parliament on Tuesday, the party decided to withdraw its protest.

“We have decided to change the form of our protest as the House needs to discuss seriously about the economic crisis and inflation which have emerged as a serious problem,” said Pradeep Gyawali, an UML lawmaker and party’s deputy general secretary, while addressing the meeting of the House of Representatives.

Just two government proposals—the national budget and the Millennium Challenge Corporation Nepal Compact—and four budget-related bills have been passed by the lower house since September.