Some leaders of the Nepali Congress, among them some convicts, on Thursday announced a nation-wide movement to declare Nepal a Hindu rastra (state), warning that their party-led government could be toppled over it.
Many of these leaders hardly have any role in the party these days. A coordination committee was formed to help spread the movement.
“The movement will create storm in favour of Hindu rastra,” said former NC CWC member, Khum Bahadur Khadka. “The PM’s chair could be blown away by it.” Mr. Khadka had served more than a year’s prison term over corruption.
Mr. Khadka, who can never stand for any election because of his status as ex-convict, said the late party president and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala made a grave mistake by “joining hands with the Maoists”. Secularism would disintegrate the country, he added. The former Home Minister also warned the Maoists and the government against any disruption of their movement.
Another ex-convict and former NC minister, Chiranjivi Kumar Wagle said “some Christians were converting Hindus by tempting them with money”, adding that the development would lead to “disintegration of the country”.
Some of those who have aligned themselves with the cause are former Speaker, Taranath Ranabhat, Pushpa Bhushal and Purna Kumar Sherma.
Meanwhile, the pro-monarchy RPP-Nepal expressed its anger in the Parliament on Thursday over its non-inclusion in the 15-member high level political committee, saying it would disrupt the House over the issue. The three big parties — ruling and the Opposition — on Wednesday announced the formation of the body to complete the remaining tasks of the peace process and to develop mutual understanding among political parties”.
Chairman of the party, Kamal Thapa, termed the committee “unconstitutional”, and accused the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the main Opposition, UCPN (Maoist) of arrogance.
“Are the people who voted the Nepali Congress and the UML masters and those who voted the RPP-Nepal slaves? Mr. Thapa asked. RPP-Nepal emerged as the fourth largest party in the November election, surprising many.
He demanded explanation from the government over his party’s exclusion from the high-level committee.
