Nepal, Aug. 20 -- The opposition's role in Parliament is not merely to oppose the government but also to offer alternatives. The strategy behind one-sided opposition and mounting pressure appears to be aimed primarily at weakening the government by whatever means possible. Since the formation of the new government, the main opposition Nepali Congress, UML and others have continued to present their views in the same old style.At present, their failure to present rational arguments about what should be done and where the government is heading has repeatedly prompted points of order, with some remarks even having to be removed from the parliamentary record.

During Wednesday's meeting of the House of Representatives, a request was made to r...