BJP leader sparks row in Nepal; Embassy calls views "her own"

EOI & PTI, Kathmandu, 18 February:  A visiting BJP leader has sparked a controversy over her remarks on future federal structure in Nepal, prompting the Indian Embassy to step in to defuse the row saying they were her personal views and do not reflect the policy of the Indian government.

Talking to reporters in Kathmandu on Tuesday, BJP vice president Renu Devi said that "the way opposition parties are doing the politics of ballot paper by dividing the country on the basis of ethnicity will not do good for the country".

Her comments were widely carried by several Nepali media outlets and were criticised by opposition parties.

This came at a time when Nepal's ruling alliance and the opposition parties led by UCPN-Moist are at loggerheads with each other on key issues in the Constitution-drafting process, including federal structure and forms of governance.

Opposition parties are also demanding an ethnic identity-based federal structure in the new Constitution which was initially supposed to be promulgated by January 22.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Indian Embassy here clarified that the views expressed by the BJP leader is her own and do not reflect the policy of the government of India.

"The Embassy's attention has been drawn to press reports relating to purported statements made by Smt. Renu Devi, Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party of India, during her recent visit to Nepal.

"The Embassy is not aware of the veracity of these statements. However, in the event that the statements as reported in the media were made, they are Ms. Renu Devi's own views and in no way do they reflect the policy of the Government of India," the statement said.

During the interaction with reporters, the BJP leader also stressed on the need for drafting the Constitution at the earliest for the benefit of the Nepalese people.

"At this moment, the constitution is an important matter Nepal, without which there will be no development.

"It will be for the good of the people of Nepal that the constitution is drafted at the earliest," she pointed out.

In response to a question relating to Hinduism, she said: "Hinduism is not only a religion but is a culture, civilisation and the mindset of the people, which need to be preserved for maintaining Nepal's identity."

India and Nepal can cooperate in many sectors, including tourism and hydropower, for the benefit of the people of both the countries, she had said.