Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad has expressed his admiration for many members of the Opposition. However, he declined to address rumors suggesting the Prime Minister might consider integrating crossbench Members of Parliament into the Government.
“It’d be a bit hypothetical for me to speculate and make any comments about who’s capable, who is not capable, what the Prime Minister is going to do, what I’m going to do,” Prof Prasad told The Lens @177 this week.
“I think these are very hypothetical questions, and sometimes in politics it’s not a good idea to answer hypothetical questions. I know journalists like asking hypothetical questions. But as a politician, as a key minister in government and the Prime Minister’s deputy, I think it’d be unfair for me to answer hypothetical questions.”
“But one thing I can say is that I like a lot of people who are in the Opposition. Some of them are very capable, and we are working very well with them in the Opposition.”
He pointed out the significant contributions during the National Budget Debate, noting that many Opposition MPs had shown their support.
Prof Prasad mentioned that when in Opposition, they supported bills, guarantees, and credited the Government where it was due.
“So, we set the standard, set the example when we were in Opposition, and I think some of the Opposition, who were in Government at the time, understand where we are coming from.”