Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli has taken exception to Chief Minister of Province 2 Lal Babu Raut telling visiting Indian PM Narendra Modi that the struggle against 'discriminatory constitution' continues.
"CM Raut's statement seems inappropriate from the perspective of national and diplomatic dignity," PM Oli said briefing the House of Representatives (HoR) about the two-day visit of Modi on Sunday. "It may also have been due to lack of experience. The Nepal government has a clear position on foreign affairs," Oli stated.
Addressing the civic reception organized in Modi's honor by Janakpur Sub Metropolitan City at Barhabigaha, Janakpur on Friday, CM Raut complained that Madhes lags behind due to the 'discriminatory policies' of the state.
"I will now draw your attention to Province 2. People in Madhes are comparatively poorer, unemployed, and needy, and are forced to live an oppressed and exploited life due to the continuous discriminatory policies, and mentality of prejudice and animosity of the state," he stated in Hindi. "Madhes is massively behind in development. Our struggle against the discriminatory constitution and provincial rights continue."
Raut is a leader of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN). Madhes-based parties including FSFN had protested against the constitution calling it discriminatory after its promulgation in September 2015.
Modi, who spoke after Raut, did not speak about the constitution though despite referring to Raut's speech on a couple of occasions.
