KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party on Monday picketed the Election Commission in Kathmandu, protesting the constitutional body's decision to delete a section of the party's charter about the Hindu state and the monarchy. The party Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa himself led the protest. Meanwhile, a clash erupted between the RPP cadres and police outside the EC. Police have lobbed tear gas shells and baton-charged to disperse the mob. It has been learned that dozens of RPP cadres, as well as some police personnel, were injured in the clash. Among the injured are former RPP Chairman and senior leader Pashupati Shamsher Rana, lawmaker Kunti Kumari Shahi, leaders Roshan Karki, Niranjan Thapa, Sabitri Thapa, Rajaram Bartaula and Komal Oli, according to the party's leader Mohan Shrestha. The RPP leaders and cadres have also picketed the District Election Offices in various districts. A meeting of the RPP on Saturday had decided to launch street protests and seek 'constitutional remedy' against the constitutional body. On Friday, the EC had decided to remove the portion that advocates Hindu state and monarchy from the RPP statute claiming the sections contradicted constitutional provisions of republican order and secularism. The party, however, has been arguing that the decision was objectionable and against sentiments of the Constitution because the Constitution had guaranteed freedom of expression and organisation. READ ALSO:

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