Kathmandu, Aug. 13 -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday failed to advance a key government bill after most lawmakers left the chamber, leaving Parliament without the minimum number required to conduct a vote.

The episode has renewed questions over parliamentary discipline and accountability in a House where the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) commands a near two-thirds majority, but lawmakers failed to remain present for a core legislative duty.

The session began at 1pm with 223 lawmakers recorded as present. By 8:05pm, however, when Speaker DP Aryal called for a vote on whether to proceed with the Mines and Minerals Bill, 2026, only 61 MPs remained in the chamber.

Lawmakers supporting the proposal initially raised their ha...