Sri Lanka’s Election Commission Chairman Nimal Punchihewa on Monday responded to Tripura’s CM Biplab Deb’s claims that BJP will be extending its wings soon to neighbouring countries - Nepal and Sri Lanka has downcasted the reports saying that the island country’s electoral code doesn’t permit such arrangement. He further added that a political party of a foreign country cannot establish its segments in Lanka under any circumstances.
He cited number 01 of 1981 Parliament Act to assert his point.
"Any Sri Lankan political party or group is permitted to have external links with any party or group overseas. But our electoral laws do not permit overseas political parties to work here," Punchihewa told reporters.
In the meantime, Nepal has also expressed its concern over the "objectionable remarks". Nepali Ambassador to India Nilamber Acharya made a phone call to Joint Secretary in-charge of Nepal and Bhutan at India's Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi and sought clarification, reported The Kathmandu Post.
India has, meanwhile, assured an explanation in this regard during the regular press meet on Thursday.
What is the controversy about?
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb, during a public function in Agartala, a few days ago, claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had in a party meeting shared that the BJP is "planning to form its government in neighbouring countries, including Nepal and Sri Lanka". He mentioned that Amit Shah has plans to establish the saffron party in the neighbouring countries after it has got victory over all Indian states.
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"We have to expand the party in Sri Lanka, Nepal and win there to form a government," Biplab Deb quoted Amit Shah as having reportedly said.
The opposition, such as Left parties and Congress, had slammed the statement saying the party’s plans are against India's foreign policies.