MPs want impeachment motion wound up speedily

KATHMANDU, Nov 19: Expressing serious concern over prolonged deliberations on the impeachment motion registered against CIAA chief Lokman Singh Karki, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties have demanded that the process be expedited and a decision reached soon.

Ask speaker what stopped Parliament from concluding the matter

KATHMANDU, Nov 19: Expressing serious concern over prolonged deliberations on the impeachment motion registered against CIAA chief Lokman Singh Karki, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties have demanded that the process be expedited and a decision reached soon.

The lawmakers, while airing their views during the House meeting on Friday, came down heavily on the political leadership for not pressing on with the impeachment motion.

Altogether 157 lawmakers registered the impeachment motion on October 19, demanding the removal of Karki for allegedly abusing his authority and trying to run a parallel government.

“I want to ask the speaker why discussions on this motion have been prolonged unnecessarily. The public has called into question the intentions of the House and expressed doubt that the legislature is being true to its responsibility regarding this issue,” said Nepali Congress lawmaker Radheshyam Adhikari while addressing the parliamentary meeting, Friday. “It must be sent to the committee without further delay.”

UML lawmaker Amrit Bohara emphasized the need of concluding the discussions and the decision-making process speedily.

“Some friends here seem to worry that removing the CIAA chief may weaken the anti-graft body. But this debate shouldn't be derailed by such unnecessary considerations,” said Bohara. “There are ample grounds for impeaching Karki and doing so would never weaken the institution.”

Girirajmani Pokharel of CPN (Maoist Center) sought an answer as to why the impeachment process was being delayed. “The public has started to question what has stopped Parliament from expediting the process on this issue and reaching a decision,” said Pokharel.

Similarly, NC's Ramhari Khatiwada, UML's Prakash Jwala and CPN (Maoist Center) lawmaker Shiva Kumar Mandal stressed the need for taking this issue to a conclusion.

Lawmakers are said to be concerned as matters may be prolonged for a few weeks more, with Speaker Onsari Gharti scheduled to fly off to Russia for a six-day visit, Sunday.

If the House doesn't forward the matter to the impeachment recommendations committee on Sunday, there will be no further progress until she returns.

Speaker Gharti said she has been trying to forward the motion to the committee by Sunday. “I have been holding talks with top leaders of the major political parties. If they are ready, I will forward it to the committee without further delay,” she said.