Cadres of Madhes-based parties obstructed a programme held by the draft sub-committee to collect public opinion on the preliminary draft of the new constitution at Gaur Municipality in the district on Thursday. They reportedly tore the statute draft and chanted slogans against it. In a bizarre scene, Sadbhawana Party central member Yogendra Yadav seized the microphone from an organiser to voice his party’s objection to the first draft of the statute. Yadav said that the draft neglected major Madhesi issues. Madhesi cadres then vandalised furniture and burnt the preliminary draft as well as the programme banners. According to Chief District Officer Madan Bhujel, police later took control of the situation. Bhujel said the programme resumed once the cadres were removed from the venue. Nepali Congress lawmaker Jitendra Yadav expressed his displeasure at the Madhesi cadres’ actions. “We have come to collect your opinion on the draft, but instead of giving your feedback, you have resorted to vandalism. This is just sad.” A team led by law officer Uttam Kharel arrived here two days ago and has established a secretariat at a building of the Employees Meeting Centre to initiate collection of public opinions on the draft constitution.