Members of Parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties on Tuesday condemned the obstruction of major media outlets and political leaders’ residences by ‘abandoned’ vehicles, accusing those involved of attempting to intimidate the press and silence criticism.

During Tuesday’s session of the House of Representatives, lawmakers alleged that the incidents were politically motivated and orchestrated with the backing of powerful actors to divert attention from growing public criticism over the death last week of ride-hailing driver Ganesh Nepali and the government’s handling of issues involving squatters.

On Monday morning, vehicles were left blocking the entrances of Kantipur Media Group, Onlinekhabar and Himalaya Television in Kathmandu, preventing staff and visitors from entering or exiting the premises by vehicle. Similar vehicle blockades were reported outside the residence of Nepali Congress president Gagan Thapa.

Opposition CPN-UML lawmaker Ganesh Singh Thagunna said the incidents were designed to create fear and psychological pressure.

“Vehicles were used to block media houses and the homes of political leaders to spread psychological panic. It may appear to be a minor symbolic act, but it resembles the intimidation tactics used by ultra-royalist groups during the Panchayat era,” he said, demanding an investigation and action against those responsible.

Prakash Chandra Pariyar, whip of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), also condemned the blockade, saying the Nepali media would not be cowed by such tactics.

He said the press had continued to function even during periods of direct censorship, including when armed security personnel were deployed inside newsrooms during King Gyanendra’s rule.

“Only those who fear the truth resort to such actions. “You cannot hide the truth forever, no matter how hard you try,” Pariyar said. “Nepali journalism did not bow down when armed soldiers entered newsrooms in the past, and it will not be silenced by a few vehicles parked outside media houses.”

Pariyar said the government must ensure that journalists and media organisations can work without fear.

“Being in government does not mean we should turn a blind eye to intimidation and attacks on the press simply because someone’s interests have been challenged,” he said, urging the authorities to guarantee the safety of media houses.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chief whip Khushbu Oli accused the government of using the incidents to divert attention from Ganesh Nepali’s self-immolation and death.

Nepali Communist Party lawmaker Ramesh Malla demanded an investigation into those responsible for parking the vehicles.

“It has become clear that these activities were carried out by certain individuals under state protection,” Malla said.

He criticised what he described as authorities’ lenient response, saying they should identify and punish those who orchestrated the incidents rather than treating them as minor offences.

“The ruling RSP cannot simply distance itself by issuing a statement. The government must take this seriously. If those in power believe they can govern by creating fear, they are mistaken,” Malla said.

The main opposition party, Nepali Congress, also accused state-aligned groups of targeting media organisations and political leaders who questioned the government.

Congress whip Nishcal Rai criticised the obstruction. He linked the incidents to what he described as a broader pattern of targeting critics.

“Whether it is the crackdown at the squatters’ holding centre, the response to questions following Ganesh Nepali’s death, or the vehicle blockades, all these incidents point towards the same mindset: punishing those who ask questions,” Rai said.

RPP parliamentary party leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi accused government supporters of using vehicles to create disruption and shape public perception.

“Deploying cadres to illegally park vehicles on roads, outside media offices, and in front of opposition leaders’ homes, then portraying it as a public movement to manipulate media coverage, is political abuse,” Shahi said.

He warned that such actions would be remembered as a dark chapter if authorities failed to address them.