Nepal: State guest status to Yashwant Sinha triggers row

The state guest status accorded by Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav to BJP leader Yashwant Sinha during his visit to Nepal in July has triggered a controversy,with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai raising the protocol issue.

Though Sinha was on a pilgrimage,he had held meetings with leaders of various parties,including Bhattarai,and said political leaders should put their heads together for consolidation of democracy and political stability.

Almost a month later,Bhattarai told reporters on Friday that someone holding a high position must be careful about the dignity of the office,implying that the President should not have accorded state guest status to someone against the established protocol and norms.

The Presidents office,however,said it did not happen without the PMs knowledge and there was no point raising a controversy now.