Several Madhes-based parties have termed the registration of an impeachment motion against Lokman Singh Karki an “ill-timed move”, saying that the process has been initiated to divert attention from the Madhes crisis.

Several parties in the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven regional forces, have even pledged support to Karki, arguing that the head of an anti-graft body was being targeted due to his differences with leaders of major parties.

Karki remains suspended as the chief of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority since Wednesday when the impeachment motion was registered.

Accusing the three major parties of trying to divert attention from the Madhes crisis, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said, “The Lokman Singh Karki episode is getting more attention than it deserves. It is being pursued at the interest of the three major parties.”

Some Madhesi leaders have said that the Karki impeachment episode is “a design to finish off democracy”.

Madhes-based parties’ concerns come amid government preparations to register a constitution amendment proposal in Parliament to address the Madhesi concerns. They fear the Karki impeachment motion could put the statute amendment process on back burner. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on October 20 had said the draft of the amendment proposal was in the final stage and that it would be tabled in Parliament before Chhath (November 6). The SLMM, however, has not officially defended or objected to the impeachment motion.

 “All the parties in Parliament should have been consulted before taking such a big step. We will take an appropriate decision after holding Morcha’s internal meeting,” said Sadbhawana Party Co-chair Laxman Lal Karna, stopping short of saying whether the Morcha would support or oppose the motion.