From the Nepali Press
ratopati.com, 17 March
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked its leaders to refrain from making irresponsible comments about Nepal. India's ruling party has also prevented its leaders from visiting Nepal without the party's prior approval.
The move comes in the wake of controversies sparked by political comments of some BJP leaders who recently visited Nepal. In February, the BJP's Vice Chair Renu Devi courted controversy when she warned that ethnic federalism will disintegrate Nepal. A few days later, the BJP's General Secretary Ram Madhav had to clarify that Renu Devi's statement was her personal opinion and it did not reflect the party's view.
Earlier in July, BJP leader Bijaya Jolly had expressed dissatisfaction over turning Nepal into a secular nation without a referendum. Jolly has visited Nepal and held meetings with Nepali leaders several times in the recent past. BJP leader Bhagat Singh Koshyari had also visited Nepal to lobby for north-south federal provinces. Sources say the BJP has particularly instructed Jolly and Koshyari from visiting Nepal without the party's approval.
The most damaging comment was by Dr Dinesh Upadhyay, co-convener of the BJP's medical cell. Claiming to be a BJP delegate to Kathmandu, he not only advocated for revival of the monarchy but also said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met former king Gyanendra Shah. He claimed that he moderated the meeting between Modi and Gyanendra. During his visit to Nepal, Indian minister Nitin Gadkari rubbished what Dr Upadhyay had revealed.
The BJP has also dismissed Nalini Gyawali as its Nepal representative. Gyawali was Nepal convener of Overseas Friends of BJP. The BJP General Secretary Madhav himself will be overseeing Nepal affairs for the time being. Prime Minister Modi and BJP Chair Amit Shah have formed a panel to prepare the party's new Nepal policy. Sources say the BJP's new Nepal policy will include a special chapter on Madhes. This is why three of the seven members of the BJP team tasked with preparing new Nepal policy are from Bihar.