Political parties and leaders have protested against the impeachment motion that the NC and the Maoist Centre registered against Chief Justice Sushila Karki on Sunday.

Issuing a statement, the main opposition CPN-UML said that the coalition partners had made the move in order to evade the corruption charges against them.

“This unfortunate move will push the country into political uncertainty,” said UML leader Agni Kharel.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa expressed his displeasure at the impeachment motion.

He remarked that the motion was objectionable and unfortunate. “It’s a serious attack on judicial independence,” he tweeted.

Former Speaker and senior UML leader Subas Nembang also opposed the move as an assault on the independent judiciary.

Former prime minister and Naya Shakti Nepal leader Baburam Bhattarai said that the attempt to impeach Karki would weaken democracy. 

Bhattarai questioned in a couple of tweets if the government was intent on making Nepal a failed state by attacking institutions one after another.

“If the weapon of impeachment is misused, how can democracy be secure?” 

he asked.