Nepal president's advisor resigns after criticising inclusion of Indian areas in map on new currency

The economic advisor to Nepal’s president on Sunday (May 12) submitted his resignation, nearly a week after criticising the decision of the government to issue currency notes which depicted the new map of the country with areas in India.

Chiranjibi Nepal, who is also the central bank's former governor, while speaking to The Indian Express said that the step to include Indian areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani in the map of Nepal was “unwise”.

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Meanwhile, speaking with BBC Nepali Service, Nepal called the decision an “irresponsible diversion” and one that made "more problematic comments regarding sovereignty”, as per a joint statement issued by a group of civil society leaders.

“I oppose the move as a former Governor of the Rastra Bank, and not as an adviser to the President,” said Nepal, just after the map on the notes was made public on May 4.

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“Nepal being in dispute with India over certain parts of territory is one thing, but printing in the currency a map that is different from what the international bodies, including two neighbours, have recognised is unwise," he added.

The comments of the economic advisor were criticised by the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist's KP Sharma Oli.

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that he has spoken to President Ram Chandra Poudel about the comments.

The Office of the President issued a press statement in which they confirmed that Nepal's resignation was accepted by President Paudel on Sunday (May 12).

President Paudel extended his thanks to economic advisor Nepal for the service provided by him as an economic expert.

Nepalese leaders call for the removal of economic advisor

Many leaders had appealed for the removal of Nepal from the post, including former chief of Nepal’s anti-graft body Surynath Upadhyay and Sushil Pyakurel,former ambassador to India Nilambar Acharya, adviser to former president Bidya Devi Bhandari.

A group of civil society leaders had also demanded Nepal's removal over the remarks.

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"The irresponsible public comments of Mr Nepal have damaged the propriety and position of Nepal’s constitutional head-of-state. Given that the Office of the President has been silent on the matter, we are forced to consider that Mr Nepal is speaking on behalf of President Ram Chandra Poudel when he describes the government’s decision as being “against international values” and “unwise”," read the statement.

"In order tokeep the position of the President of the Republic above controversy, we demand an immediate retraction from the Office of the President and the removal of Chiranjeevi Nepal from his responsibilities as advisor," it added.

(With inputs from agencies)