Three-party leaders demand expulsion of Indian consular for inflammatory remarks; Govt to ask India to 'recall' him

The Nepal government is preparing to ask India to recall SD Mehta, a consular at the Indian Consulate General based in Birgunj, after the leaders of the major three political parties demanded his expulsion for inflammatory remarks on Madhes.

Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) would write a letter to India through its Embassy to recall Mehta.

Earlier today, a meeting of three party leaders had asked the government to immediately start the process of Indian diplomat’s expulsion saying that his statement interfered in country internal affairs.

Mehta was reported to have told leaders of NC, UML and the Madhesi parties of Parsa and Bara districts to bring about ‘a storm' in the Madhes before May 27 for the sake of Madhes in a cocktail party at Hotel Vishuwa in Birgunj on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, India has refuted media reports that Mehta urged the political leaders of Madhes to wage movement for the sake of Madhes.

Issuing a press release on Friday, Kathmandu-based Indian Embassy said that reports attributing remarks to the Consulate General were misleading.

“India remains committed to supporting the constitution making process for the establishment of a stable, democratic and prosperous Nepal and will cooperate in the manner determined exclusively by the people and leadership of Nepal,” the statement said.

The embassy also said such attributions sought to detract from the friendly relations between India and Nepal. nepalnews.com