KATHMANDU: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Jolly has claimed that 81.2% of Nepal’s population wants the country reinstated as a Hindu state.

During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Wednesday as part of his Nepal visit, Jolly said there is deep-rooted sentiment among Nepalis in favor of a Hindu nation.

During his four-day visit, Jolly said he met with President Ramchandra Paudel and other senior leaders.
“81.2% of the people in Nepal want a Hindu state. I am ready to support them,” he stated.

“India was the first to help Nepal during the earthquake. Similarly, Nepal stood with India in moments of difficulty,” he said, recalling Nepal’s solidarity after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

He noted the significance of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli calling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi within 12 hours of the attack to express support. He also expressed hope that Nepali political leaders would reconsider the issue in light of public sentiment.

Additionally, Jolly stated that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has lost its relevance. He said that SAARC, once an effective regional platform, has now become defunct. He blamed Pakistan for rendering SAARC ineffective and causing the decline of its significance.