BJP MP’s Nepal attack triggers war of words

NEW DELHI (TIP): BJP and Congress MPs had an angry exchange over Nepal on May 11 after BJP member Nishikant Dubey mounted a sharp attack on the country in the Lok Sabha. Dubey said Nepal, a “small country which is dependent on India” is now seeking to “threaten” India after getting support from China. Congress members, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, protested against Dubey’s remark, saying a neighbouring country should not be spoken about in such language. This led to counter protests by BJP, with Dubey alleging that it was the “wrong” policies pursued by former PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi towards Nepal that had created the present problem. Raising the issue during zero hour, Dubey also made a strong pitch for erecting a fence along the Indo-Nepal border. Dubey said the porous border had turned Nepal into a “nerve centre” of anti-India forces, “which was also witnessed during the IC-814 hijack”. The attack came in the backdrop of a slide in Indo-Nepal ties in recent months.(PTI)