Criticisms on CM Raut’s statement meaningless: Prov 2 Minister Yadav

‘FOREIGN MINISTER GYAWALI SHOULD RESIGN ON MORAL GROUND’

KATHMANDU, May 15: Province 2 Internal Affairs Minister, Bijaya Yadav has defended Province Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut, arguing that criticisms made on his (Raut’s) speech were meaningless.

Raut, during his speech at the civic reception organized to felicitate the visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had made a controversial statement that their struggle against the ‘discriminatory constitution’ was still underway.

But, the government condemned the chief minister’s speech, which he made in the presence of the Indian prime minister.

Prime Minster K P Sharma Oli said that his statement was against the national interest and diplomatic code of conduct.

Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Gyawali said that the issue of constitution amendment was a matter of internal affair.

“Chief Minister Raut delivered the speech in front of Modi, keeping in mind the feelings and sentiments of people of Province 2. Thus I don’t see any reason to disapprove his statement,” said Yadav talking to Rishi Dhamala at a program Nepali Bahas on Tuesday.

“These criticisms have no meaning. The CM said what the people wanted,” he added.

Yadav also said that it was the central government’s mistake to set up wrong national flag of Nepal in Janakpur during Modi’s visit.

“Why did Defense Minister Ishwor Pokhrel come here? We were there to coordinate the event. Four ministers had come to the program. Why didn’t they see the wrong flag? Isn’t it Prime Minister Oli’s responsibility?” he said.

“If the CM’s speech is wrong, then Foreign Minister Gyawali should also resign,” added Yadav.

“Minister Gyawali had also attended the program. He should step down from the position of moral ground,” he furthered.

Minister Yadav also expressed his dissatisfaction over Indian lawmaker Kirti Azad’s tweet demanding ‘return’ of Janakpur into India. “What Azad did was absolutely wrong,” he added.