KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML lawmakers on Tuesday afternoon obstructed the Parliament, demanding response from the government on the Ministry of Local Development's circular on increasing the number of local levels in four provinces, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the meeting briefly.

Speaking at the House, the main opposition party's Ganga Lal Tuladhar accused the government of intending to thwart the local level elections in the name of increasing local levels after the elections were announced.

He announced not to let the House continue its proceedings unless the government forged a clarification over the matter.

As the main opposition lawmakers stood up in protest, Speaker Onsari Gharti repeatedly asked them to sit down. She subsequently adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

After an agreement with the Federal Alliance of agitating Madhesi parties, the government decided to increase the number of local levels in the Tarai-Madhes region and hold the local level elections in second phase on June 14 in Province No. 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Amendment sought

Earlier, Nepali Congress lawmaker Aarju Rana demanded an amendment to the election law regarding mandatory selection of candidates in local level elections.

She argued that Dalits do not live in all wards and fielding them in ward-level election where they do not live was not practical.