Kathmandu, 27 February (HS): The agreement between Nepal and China to strengthen relations and increase cooperation in the tribal area has led to a dispute in the ruling coalition. This agreement was made between China’s Minister of Tribal Affairs Pan Yu, who was on a visit to Nepal, and Ram Bahadur Thapamagar, Chairman of Nepal’s National Tribal Commission.

This agreement was approved in the cabinet meeting on Monday and the National Tribal Commission was authorized for this. The government made it public on Wednesday morning.

Law Minister Ajay Chaurasia, who participated in the cabinet meeting, expressed surprise on getting information from the media about the agreement with China in the cabinet decision. He said that neither the Prime Minister nor the departmental minister had given any information in this regard.

Law Minister Ajay Chaurasia said that no Congress minister is aware of this. Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak, who was the Home Minister in the government, has also expressed ignorance about this. Home Minister Lekhar was also present in the cabinet meeting on Monday. He said that he had no information about the agreement with China, let alone the visit of the Chinese minister to Nepal. That information was also received from the media.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa expressed displeasure and said that a party meeting will be called and this matter will be seriously considered. He said that if Prime Minister Oli continues to take such decisions without consulting the ruling coalition, then some decision will have to be taken regarding this coalition in the coming days.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar