As Maoist rebels and left parties are campaigning for making Nepal a republic, the main opposition party of India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has said constitutional monarchy should be continued in the Himalayan kingdom.

Chief of the BJP Rajnath Singh. Source: ww1.mid-day.com

Chief of the BJP Rajnath Singh. Source: ww1.mid-day.com
Talking to reporters after meeting visiting Prime Minister G P Koirala in the Indian capital on Thursday, chief of the BJP Rajnath Singh said, “Along with the growth of democracy in Nepal, constitutional monarchy should be continued there as it is an integral part of the tradition and culture of that country.”

Singh also expressed concerns over the recent proclamation of the reinstated House of Representatives to make Nepal a secular country.

“We have expressed our concerns to the Nepal Prime Minister about their decision to become a secular nation. We have requested him to ensure that the unique cultural and social identity of Nepal must be preserved,” Singh said.

Singh said that Maoist rebels should contest elections and play a positive role in the country’s rebuilding.

Asking the Maoists to return to the mainstream, Singh said, “They must give up arms and join the ongoing democratic process,” he added.

“I told the Prime Minister that BJP would welcome if the Maoists contest elections and play a positive role in Nepal’s rebuilding,” he said.

Unlike BJP, ruling Congress (I) and other left parties of India have, however, welcomed the parliament’s decision to turn Nepal into a secular state.

Until last month, Nepal was the only Hindu kingdom in the world.