Kathmandu: Bollywood actress Manisha
Koirala on Friday expressed here displeasure over converting Nepal
into a secular state, saying there was no need to change the
status of the Hindu nation.
40-year-old Koirala, the granddaughter of B P Koirala
who was Nepal's first elected primed minister, said the
country never had any dispute over the issue of religion.
"I don't understand why peaceful Hindu state Nepal was
converted into a secular state," she said talking to
mediapersons in the capital.
Nepal was converted into a secular state three years
ago by the Parliament.
"Nepal never had any dispute over the issue of
religion. There was no need to change the status of the Hindu
state as there was no problem in it," she said.
Manisha, a strong supporter of monarchy, said she had
great respect for the late Prime Minister G P Koirala, her
grandfather's younger brother, though she had some political
differences with him.
He possessed a strong personality and was a dedicated
politician, she said, adding he did whatever he thought was
right.
Replying to a question on who should be the successor
of Koirala, the Nepali-Indian actress said it is not necessary
that his successor should come from the Koirala family.
The party's next general convention will decide who
will be the successor, Manisha said.
"There should be cooperation among the leaders of the
party not competition, she pointed out.
When asked if she is in race for the party's
leadership, the actress said she has no interest in politics
at this moment.
"I want to serve the country from outside politics,"
she said, adding "I will work for the benefit of children and
orphans in the country".
She said her grandfather BP Koirala was her ideal in
politics.
When asked about the possibility of the revival of
monarchy in the country, she avoided a direct answer, saying
"I am too small a person to comment on that".
On her professional work, Manisha said she will work
in Nepali film if she is offered a good script.
She warned that the failure to promulgate the new
constitution by May 28 will be "disastrous" for the country.
"I wish the constitution will be drafted on time, she
said, adding it will be disastrous if it is not completed on
time.
When asked about her marriage, the Bollywood star said
she has not yet decided on the matter.
However, she underlined that she would like to settle
down in her homeland Nepal.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 26, 2010, 18:38