Meeting Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai at his office in Shital Niwas Sunday morning, President Yadav expressed his worry and asked the prime minister to caution the minister against making such remark. [break]
“It is immoral for a cabinet minister to make such remarks. This is against the territorial integrity of the country. Caution ministers from making such remarks,” the prime minister´s press advisor Ram Rijhan Yadav quoted the president as telling the prime minister.
Prime Minister Bhattarai said that he too was saddened by Minister Gupta´s remark. “I will ask ministers to not make such controversial remarks,” he assured the president.
Gupta, in a press conference on Tuesday, had warned that the ties between the state and Madhes could be severed if the state did not change its stance towards Madhes. He also warned of violent movement in Madhes.
The president had summoned the prime minister to express his concern and learn the status of three separate bills including Mutual Legal Assistance, extradition and organized crimes that need to be endorsed urgently.
The president also expressed concern over the rampant deforestation taking place in various parts of the country including in Tarai and far-western districts.
He asked the prime minister to take the deforestation issue seriously as it is leading to desertification in many parts of the country.
After public outcry, minister apologizes for his remarks