Nepali Congress General Secretary Shashank Koirala has said that referendum would be a better option to decide whether to reinstate Nepal as the Hindu state.

“I won the Constituent Assembly election from a constituency with a Hindu majority. I have not stopped advocating for a Hindu state,” said Koirala. The NC leader was quick to add that it was his personal opinion and not his party’s stance.

Speaking at a meet organised by the Chitwan chapter of Nepal Press Union in Bharatpur on Saturday, Koirala reiterated it would be better to hold a referendum on the issue (Hindu state) keeping in view the present situation of the country.

The NC, the largest

party in the Legislature-Parliament, has signed the secular constitution.

“This is the time for constitution implementation. The issue of religion will be decided after the elections,” said Koirala, adding that talks should be held with the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Madhes-based parties for effective implementation of the constitution.

Stating that the genuine demands of the Madhesi parties should be addressed, the NC leader said the country would plunge into a deeper crisis if the political

parties failed to implement the constitution.

In another context, Koirala said there could be minor changes in state demarcation. “There is no alternative to political consensus among the parties for the welfare of the country,” he added.

He also hinted that

the NC Central Working Committee meeting slated on October 20 will make important decisions on some political issues, without divulging the details.