Chitwan, Oct 16: Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Dr Shashank Koirala viewed that the disputed issue of secularism should be resolved through a referendum.
Saying former NC President the late Girija Prasad Koirala supported secularism under compulsion, he said it was his personal view to resolve the issue through a referendum although it is the NC that officially decides on the issue.
The NC leader was speaking at a press conference organised by the Nepal Press Union, Chitwan on Saturday.
The issue of secularism gets disputed ever since the country was declared secular, replacing former Hindu state. Some parties mainly Rastriya Prajatantra Party have strongly been advocating for reinstating Hindu state.
Clarifying that the state was made secular to address the demands of then the Maoist, which entered mainstream politics ending decade-long insurgency, he said he was flexible on the issue of reinstating Hindu state as “I was elected as lawmaker from majority Hindu votes.”
On a different note, he pointed out the only need to hold the three levels of elections to implement the constitution. “And for that, the three major political parties should stand together,” he said, adding that NC has a goodwill to Madhes.
Saying the country may meet a crisis in case of a failure to implement the constitution, he viewed that all parties should take a step back from their stance to help implement the constitution.
Meanwhile at a different programme in Nawalparasi, Koirala said constitution amendment was in need to hold the three levels of elections within the stipulated time, scheduled for 16 months.
“And for that, the major political parties like ruling NC and the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the opposition CPN-UML should come together in this regard,” he said. RSS
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