KATHMANDU, April 21: With the election just around the corner, the Election Commission (EC) has put the dispute over 'Hindu state' and 'monarchy' with Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) on hold for the time being.

RPP, the fourth largest party in parliament, had protested against the election body's decision to remove Hindu state and monarchy from the party's statute.  With the EC's announcement, RPP has decided to withdraw its ongoing protests against the EC. 

"Since the party frequently urged us to review our decision, we have now put the issue on hold for the time being, considering the upcoming local elections," said EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma.  

After weeks-long friction between the EC and RPP over whether the party's core values including Hindu state and monarchy should be removed from the party's statue in a democratic countries like Nepal or not, the election body finally had removed Hindu state and monarchy from the statue arguing that the party's ideology contradicts with the spirit of the newly adopted constitution and election laws. 

The party, however, has been protesting against the EC's decision saying that any party should not be dictated while exercising democratic and political rights.   

RPP Spokesperson Sushil Shrestha said his party was compelled to protest against the election commission as it raised question on our party's ideology and principle. However, the party has now decided to postpone protests, according to Shrestha. 

"But since the Election Commission has tried to correct its decision, we will now fully focus on election. The party will unveil fresh poll related programs," said Spokesperson Shrestha.

 
• election commission
 
• rastriya prajatantra party
 
• hold on issues