In a joint statement, eight ruling parties and two independent lawmakers said the brawl in the Constituent Assembly in the wee hours of Tuesday by CA members belonging to Maoist and Madhesi parties threatens to sabotage efforts to institutionalise the gains achieved during the people’s movements. “Their act has disheartened the people. It must be condemned by all those who believe in democracy.”

The Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, CPN-ML, Rastriya Janamorcha, CPN (Unified), Nepal Pariwar Dal and Janajagaran Party and independent lawmakers Attahar Kamal Musalman and Chandreshwor Jha condemned the Maoist behaviour.

A group of UCPN (Maoist) lawmakers had hurled a microphone at UML chief KP Sharma Oli, Vice-chairperson Bidhya Bhandari and UML lawmaker Rishikesh Pokahrel. Scores of chairs in the CA hall were smashed in the rampage.

The statement claimed that Prime Minister Sushil Koirala was “manhandled” while at least 12 marshals were injured after the Maoist-led bloc threw chairs to oppose CA Chairman Subas Nembang’s bid to announce the questionnaire committee to prepare for the voting process on the disputed issues.

The parties have termed Tuesday as a ‘black day’ in the parliamentary history of Nepal. The parties have urged the opposition Maoist and Tarai parties to be part of the constitution writing process. “Minority cannot overrule the majority vote. We are committed to past agreements and appeal to the people to create positive pressure for timely constitution,” the statement read.

An “emergency” Standing Committee meeting of the UML concluded that the disruption by the Maoist-led opposition was a premeditated move to obstruct the constitution writing process.

“We request the CA chairman to move the process for voting without further delay,” the party stated.

The UML has asked all the parties in the CA to stand united against any attempts to obstruct the voting process. The attack on Oli and Bhandari was aimed at discouraging the UML after it stood firm for a constitution on time, the party said. The opposition alliance vandalised the party’s office in Saptari district on Tuesday.

Delhi wants Nepalis to honour past pacts

India has expressed its hope that Nepali leaders will work together as the peace and constitution writing processes near their crucial end.

In a statement on Tuesday, in response to a question regarding the situation of Constituent Assembly obstruction in Nepal, official spokesperson for the Indian External Affairs Ministry said, “It is our expectation that all Nepali leaders will work together in the final stage of the peace process, in drawing up a constitution that honours past agreements and understandings as well as the mandate of the CA elections.”