Kathmandu, March 5

Visiting Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bhagat Singh Koshiyari today said there was less than one per cent issues in the new constitution of Nepal that were yet to be resolved.

Addressing a press conference organised by Reporters Club here today, Koshiyari said there were some issues with the provincial boundaries but the leaders of Nepal had told him that those issues would be resolved. “I am confident that very soon this issue will be resolved and all issues relating to the implementation of the new statute will be resolved. I thank the leaders for framing a new constitution,” he added.

He said he was always optimistic about the delivery of the new constitution even when some were expressing doubts about it.

Koshiyari said the implementation of Nepal’s constitution would pave the way for prosperity and development in Nepal. He said he was confident that the genuine demands would be addressed by the leaders of Nepal. Amendment to the constitution, Koshiyari added, has raised hopes for a resolution of outstanding issues.

Asked if India’s Nepal policy had failed, Koshiyari replied in the negative. “It depends on how one looks at things. Such comments are natural in a transition. Now both Nepal and India have passed the tests,” he added.  When asked to comment on the recent protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Koshiyari said, “You do not remove your tooth when it stings your tongue.”

Koshiyari said Nepali leaders were blaming India for providing only 70 per cent fuel without understanding the fact that the government of Nepal had called a global tender seeking supply of 30 per cent fuel.” He said Nepal should now be self reliant and he had prayed for it at Pashupatinath and Doleshwar Mahadev temple.

“Those who protest the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1950 must read the provisions of the instrument,” he said. Koshiyari is also a member of India’s Eminent Persons Group. He said he was in favour of railway connectivity between cities of Nepal and India.He said he had no religious missio n in Nepal but he was opposed to religious conversion.