MP Amresh Kumar Sparks Uproar in Parliament Over “Lease Out 72 Districts” to America, India and China

Independent lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh sparked a heated debate in Nepal’s House of Representatives on Sunday after suggesting that 72 districts should be leased to countries like the United States, China, or India due to budget allocation disparities.

During a session of the House of Representatives, Singh criticized the federal budget, alleging that only five districts were consistently favored while the remaining 72 were left behind. “I request the Nepal Government to keep those four or five fortunate districts within Nepal and lease the other 72 to other countries — the US, China, or India. If the budget doesn’t reach them, what’s the point of keeping them in Nepal? Just to collect taxes?” Singh questioned from the parliamentary rostrum.

UML Chief Whip Responds

Mahesh Bartaula, Chief Whip of the CPN-UML, immediately objected to Singh’s remarks. “It is unacceptable to hear a Member of Parliament suggest from the rostrum that parts of Nepal be handed over to foreign nations like the US,” Bartaula said.

Clarifying his comments, Singh responded, “I didn’t say to merge the districts, I said to lease them out.” Despite the clarification, Bartaula labeled the comments as anti-national and called for the remarks to be removed from the parliamentary record.

Parliamentary Action and Heated Exchange

Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire intervened, declaring that Singh’s reference to handing over Nepalese land to foreign nations constituted unparliamentary language and raised questions over national integrity. The Speaker ordered the remarks to be expunged from the record.

Singh, however, challenged the Speaker’s neutrality, saying, “The Speaker issues directives based on political bias. Why doesn’t the Speaker question why all 77 districts didn’t receive a budget allocation? The Speaker follows UML’s command, but he is supposed to represent the entire Parliament.”

Following Singh’s comments, lawmakers from both UML and Nepali Congress obstructed his speech, calling him a “traitor”. In retaliation, Singh accused both major parties of betrayal themselves.

Chants demanding disciplinary action against Singh echoed through the chamber. Speaker Ghimire urged Singh to speak only on the designated agenda or leave the rostrum.

Singh Defends His Position

Singh, known for his independent stance, responded by accusing the major parties of suppressing smaller factions and independent voices. He criticized what he claimed to be discriminatory budget distribution, calling for fairness and transparency.

Before stepping down, Singh warned against questioning his patriotism. He urged the Speaker to manage parliamentary proceedings based on merit and justice, not political bias.