Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the party would consider public sentiment before taking a decision concerning the impeachment motion registered in Parliament against Lokman Singh Karki, the suspended chief of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority.

Accepting a memorandum at his residence in Budhanilkantha on Sunday morning from a group of student union leaders who demanded the NC’s vote for the impeachment proposal, Deuba said the largest party would discuss the matter in its Parliamentary Party before arriving at a conclusion.

The student unions had handed the memorandum to CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Saturday.

Congress insiders said they were still hoping for Karki to resign.

“That way, Karki would have a smooth exit. If he is impeached, he’ll be disqualified to hold any public position in future. Neither will he get to avail of perks as a former civil servant,” a senior leader told the Post on condition of anonymity.

NC lawmakers have urged Deuba to call a meeting of the Parliamentary Party since the impeachment motion concerns lawmakers more than the central committee members. The Central Working Committee of the party that began on Thursday has yet to conclude.

“The NC is in no rush to reach a decision. We have discussions beginning on Tuesday in Parliament. Our lawmakers are also free to speak their minds,” said NC Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha.

Some leaders argue that there was no need for an impeachment motion against Karki at all at a time when a case against him is sub judice in the Supreme Court.

NC will take decision after study: Poudel

Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel said in Tanahun on Sunday that the NC would take a decision after a detailed study of the impeachment motion and Karki’s works as the CIAA chief.

Poudel said the NC would reach a decision on the matter after assessing Karki’s works before he was suspended. Speaking at a party programme on Sunday, Poudel said the NC leaders and activists should not make remarks without the party taking a formal decision on the impeachment motion.

Will vote for impeachment: Singh

NC leader Prakashman Singh said in Surkhet on Sunday that the largest party would stand in favour of the impeachment proposal. “Congress will vote in favour of the impeachment proposal though the CPN (Maoist Centre) filed the proposal without consulting with the major coalition partner,” he said.