After nearly a month of obstruction by the main opposition CPN-UML, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the deadlock in the federal parliament will end on Sunday.

The UML has obstructed both chambers of Parliament since July 26, demanding a high-level judicial inquiry into gold smuggling while the government’s mechanism is carrying out its investigation. The UML had also obstructed parliamentary proceedings for a couple of days in the second week of July.

Speaking at a function organised to commemorate the late Ram Brikshya Yadav at the party office in Perisdanda, Koteshwar on Saturday, Prime Minister Dahal said the House may resume its business from Sunday.

“You all know I have been continuously making attempts for this [opening the House],” Dahal told reporters. “Yesterday, I talked to the Speaker. We have been making efforts until this evening. I am hopeful that it [the House] will open tomorrow.”

In a similar vein, CPN-UML deputy parliamentary leader Subas Nembang told reporters on Saturday that House obstruction was unconstitutional and the parties responsible for the obstruction must prove the rationale behind such extreme measures.

“Obstruction of Parliament is illegal as laws, even the constitution, don't allow such obstruction,” Nembang said at an interaction in Dhulikhel, hinting that his party could end the obstruction. Since such obstruction is a political move, it’s the responsibility of the parties concerned to prove its significance, he added.

Following the UML’s obstruction on August 14, Speaker Devraj Ghimire had postponed the House meeting until August 20.

Former Speaker Nembang, who chaired both Constituent Assemblies, said there has been a lot of discussion within the party on ways to end the impasse.

During his meeting with the prime minister on Friday, Speaker Ghimire said the House could resume its business only after the parties reach an agreement. He urged Dahal to seriously negotiate with the opposition and resolve the problem as the continued imbroglio had frustrated the people.

In response, according to Speaker Ghimire’s secretariat, the prime minister had told him that he would speak to the main opposition and work on ending the obstruction soon.

UML’s whip Mahesh Bartaula said they had faced extreme pressure from the lawmakers, who have been denied their right to raise the issues of public suffering caused by natural disasters and the deaths of cattle from the lumpy skin disease. He added his party is considering allowing lawmakers to speak while continuing to obstruct the House from doing other businesses.

“Though we have not decided yet, we are considering not obstructing the special and zero hours of Parliament from Sunday,” Bartaula told the Post. “As of now [Saturday evening], I’m not aware of any talks between the prime minister and our party’s leader.”

He, however, said the prime minister was trying to speak with KP Sharma Oli on resolving the issue.

During the zero and special hours, lawmakers draw the government's attention to the issues of urgent importance. The UML has been criticised for depriving lawmakers the chance to raise issues of public concern.