KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress, one of the oldest democratic institutions, will stay away from mingling politics with religion as concluded by the party Mahasamiti meeting.

The party's agenda is not religion, and it will mix politics in the name of religion, viewed the Mahasamiti meeting participants at a press conference organised after the meeting here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, party President Sher Bahadur Deuba said the NC being inclusive and transparent would treat all equally. On Nirmala Panta murder case, he demanded the arrest of the culprit(s) to ensure justice to the bereaved family, while calling for journalists to play a constructive role in this case.

Opposing to the idea of mixing politics with religion, senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel said the party will continue to stick to its own principle.

General Secretary Dr Shashanka Koirala viewed the definition of socialism of the NC and the leftist as different. Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi presented party's coming strategy as opposition including that the party would increase its role as opposition in the House of Representatives and parliament and continue efforts to prepare to win next elections.