Janakpur, Nov. 16 -- In further escalation of the ongoing political stand-off in Madhesh Province, seven parties opposing the government headed by CPN-UML leader Saroj Kumar Yadav convened a provincial assembly meeting on the premises of the Assembly Secretariat on Saturday. They claimed they were locked out of the official chamber by Speaker Ramchandra Mandal.

Deputy-speaker Babita Raut Ishar conducted the meeting outdoors in the presence of around 60 provincial lawmakers. With the assembly hall reportedly padlocked and the key-bearing staff "sent away," lawmakers sat cross-legged on the ground in a line, while Ishar presided from a plastic chair with a small table before her. A national flag stood beside her seat. The session began wit...