Brief scuffle between NC, UML lawmakers in lower house

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers of the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML were involved in a brief scuffle in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

NC lawmakers assembled in front of the well after Speaker Devraj Ghimire started reading letters received from the Office of the President.

After Speaker Ghimire gave time to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Ravi Lamichhane to address the parliament, NC lawmakers surrounded him and chanted slogans against the government. At the same time, some ruling party lawmakers demanded that the home minister be allowed to speak. NC Vice President Dhanraj Gurung was seen directing his slogans at CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, who had also stood up. Some UML lawmakers were also seen trying to make way for the home minister to reach the rostrum. Some were seen pushing each other.

As the sloganeering continued, Speaker Ghimire adjourned the session until 11 am on Friday.