KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress Central Committee today dwelt, for around three hours, on the issue of Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala not going to India with the Prime Minister.

The party made it clear that she opted out of the trip due to illness and the power equation in the government would not change because of that.

In a press release issued after the meeting, the NC stated, “The CC meeting expressed serious concern about media reports regarding Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala’s non-participation in India visit. The party also expresses firm commitment that NC’s support and participation in the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government will continue.”

Media reported that Koirala opted out of the trip after the PM denied her the post of Deputy Prime Minister yesterday morning.

Earlier, the central members expressed serious concern about the media reports and condemned the media for giving negative coverage. CC members, including Narahari Acharya, had asked the leadership to furnish authentic information on why Sujata opted out of the Delhi trip.

Acting president Sushil Koirala and vice president Ram Chandra Paudel had said she opted out because of illness.

Today’s meeting also formed a nine-member committee under the coordination of Chakra Prasad Bastola to do groundwork on writing the constitution.

The committee comprises Govinda Raj Joshi, Mahesh Acharya, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Narahari Acharya, Uma Regmi, Manmohan Bhattarai, Shiba Chandra Mishra and Dr Narayan Khadka.