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India’s ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party has invited eighteen political parties from 10 countries, including Nepal, “to get first-hand experience and insights into BJP’s election campaign”. Apart from witnessing the election campaign, they will also meet India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other leaders. From Nepal, BJP has invited representatives from the Nepali Congress, Janamat Party, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center) and Rastriya Swatantra Party.

BJP has also invited parties from Australia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Israel, Uganda, Tanzania, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius for the event. According to BJP, the visit is part of the global outreach program titled ‘Know BJP’, which was launched last year. The Nepali delegation to India includes Uday Shumsher Rana from the NC, Bishnu Rimal from UML, Matrika Yadav from the Maoist Center, Shishir Khanal from RSP, and Jayakant Raut from the Janamat Party. India is holding its 17th Lok Sabha election, which will conclude on June 1.

Over the past few years, BJP has been engaging with Nepal’s political parties and several senior leaders, including prime ministers, have visited the BJP headquarters. The invite comes amid forecasts that BJP will return to power for the third consecutive term with continuation of Narendra Modi as prime minister. BJP is suggesting Nepal’s political parties to scrap secularism and go for the Hindu state.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has said that democracy will not be complete without freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day today, Minister Sharma has recalled the contributions of all those who sacrificed their lives in the struggles waged for freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

Minister Sharma has stated that the government was committed to protecting and implementing complete press freedom, which is stated in the preamble of the Constitution of Nepal.

In her message, Minister Sharma shared that the government has been working in the drafting and review of media-related laws since last year to ensure further press freedom.  

The government has given priority to drafting laws in a transparent and democratic process by taking feedback from stakeholders and citizens, according to the Minister for Communications and Information Technology. 

Likewise, she has shared that the Media Council Bill, which is focused on the promotion of self-regulation of mass media, was registered in the Federal Parliament recently.

Minister Sharma has also said that the government is closely watching the concerns of national and international organizations active in the field of press freedom.

In her message, Minister Sharma has expressed a firm determination for the professional and physical security of journalists and added that the government is committed to ensuring the rights of working journalists as per the legal process and facilitating to end labor issues seen in different media houses.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is arriving in Nepal for a two-day official visit on Sunday.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said that the Japanese foreign minister is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Sharma said that the bilateral talks will be held between Nepal and Japan during her visit.

A talks team has been formed under the headship of Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha for the same.

The government has decided to call the budget session on May 10.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharm said that the government has decided to recommend President Ram Chandra Paudel to call the budget session on May 10.

According to her, the meeting of both the houses of the federal Parliament has been called for 2 pm on May 10.