Updated on Monday, January 05, 2009, 00:00 IST

Kathmandu, Jan 05: Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda has assured top Indian leaders today that the Maoist led government will honour the verdict of the country's Supreme Court and allow Indian priest to "perform their duty" at the Pashupatinath Temple.

Prachanda gave this assurance when Samajwadi leader and former UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav met him here and expressed concern over sacking of the Indian priests. They also discussed other latest political developments and bilateral issues concerning both the nations.

"Prime Minister Prachanda has assured me that his government will honour the verdict of the Supreme Court and allow the Indian Priests to perform their duty," Yadav told journalists after the meeting.

Yadav said that he has suggested to Prachanda not to get into any controversy in the matters of religion and faith of the people.

"We have also come here to visit the Pashupatinath temple, which we could not fulfill due to the dispute in the temple and it is very sad experience," he said.

A row had erupted in Nepal after the Maoist government had forced the three Indian priests, including chief Priest to resign and appointed two Nepalese priests to replace them sparking widespread agitation.

"Nepalese leadership have high expectation from India for their development and wellbeing," Mulayam said. They want special attention from government of India towards Nepal's development efforts, he pointed out.

"I will take this message to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi," he said.

India wishes that democracy be strengthened in Nepal and all the Nepalese people get the feeling democracy, he said.

Bureau Report