The ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) has endorsed the impeachment motion registered in Parliament against Chief Justice Sushila Karki, claiming that it was essential to ensure the impending local polls.

As Chief Justice Karki’s activities could affect the government, the ruling coalition had to take the decision to table the impeachment motion, a leader quoted PM Dahal as saying at the party’s headquarters meeting.

“How could an executive prime minister act like a registrar of a chief justice?” asked PM Dahal’s Chief Political Advisor Chakrapani Khanal, arguing that the CJ tried to interfere in the jurisdiction of the country’s executive prime minister.

Mani Thapa, member of the headquarters, pointed out interference in the executive power was the main reason behind filing the impeachment motion as her support to DIG Nawaraj Silwal was uncharacteristic of the judiciary. During the meeting, the PM clarified that the ruling coalition had to take such a decision as CJ Karki’s decisions were intended to affect the upcoming local level polls and the government.

A few Maoist leaders, including Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Shakti Basnet, however questioned the timing of the ruling parties’ decision and expressed fear that it could affect the local polls. “It’s wrong, untimely, irrelevant and counterproductive,” Shrestha tweeted afterwards. “It must be withdrawn.”