Kathmandu, December 27:

Former chief minister of India’s Uttaranchal and BJP lawmaker Bhagat Sing Koshiyari said today that it is up to the Nepali people to decide through ballots on whether Nepal should have a monarchy or a republic.

Addressing a function at the Reporters’ Club, Koshiyari said his party has never said Nepal should be a Hindu kingdom, as it is up to the people of Nepal to choose any political system they wish to.

Replying to a query on the reported border encroachment from the Indian side, Koshiyari said he could not comment on the issue, as he was not here on an authorised mission of his party or the Indian government. “Authorities of both the countries must sit together and resolve any difference that they may have,” he said.

He said during his two-day private visit to Kathmandu, he met a few politicians and found that there were some problems in the Madhes, which may be detrimental to the CA polls. He said he would appraise his party high command in New Delhi about Madhes issues .

Maoist leader CP Gajurel said he raised concerns about possibility of a few Madhesi groups creating problems for the polls and about the Indian side’s encroachment upon around 14,000 hectares of Nepali land in Susta of Nawalparasi during his brief meeting with Koshiyari. He said Koshiyari has assured him of appraising the issues with the BJP leadership.

Gajurel also said during their meetings with foreign friends, the Maoists had been asking them to refrain from making any comment on monarchy. He said the Maoists would rejoin the government in a day or two and KB Mahara will lead his party in the cabinet.