In his nine-hour stay in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Khurshid met with President Ram Baran Yadav, Chairman of Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi and top leaders of the major parties and conveyed New Delhi’s message that there is no alternative to the CA elections. “What we should support and will support are a clear indication of determination to hold the polls and not to look at any alternative because in a democracy there are no alternatives to an election that is long overdue,” Khurshid told reporters before wrapping up his one-day visit. “It is important to bring everybody on board and it will be good if we see all stakeholders, political parties and groups take part in the elections. I think there should be no ifs and buts,” he said. During his meeting with leaders, Khurshid said that New Delhi is aware of the recent political developments in Nepal, including the recent decisions made by the CPN-Maoist of forming a talks team and ready to sit for a round-table conference. “The CPN-Maoist decision is a positive development. Try your best to bring all disgruntled factions on board, otherwise do not derail the poll process,” foreign department chief of the UCPN (Maoist), Ram Karki, quoted Khurshid as saying. In the meeting with Nepali Congress leaders, Khurshid echoed the same, according to NC leaders. “Only elections can restore stability in Nepal, which India wants to see here, and asked us to go for the polls in an unified way by convincing all groups and factions,” said Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula told the Post after the meeting. In the meeting with Madhes-based leaders, the India n minister inquired about the strategies they apply during the polls and the prospect of a possible alliance among themselves and sought their opinions about effects on the polls in the event of some sections not taking part in the elections, according to a leader who met Khurshid.Pledging support for the polls announced for November 19, India on Tuesday signed an agreement to donate 764 vehicles to Nepal. This logistic support comprises different types of vehicles to the tune of around Rs 800 million. The southern neighbour will donate the vehicles to the government within October. India n Ambassador to Nepal Jayanta Prasad and Finance Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi signed two separate Letters of Exchanges (LoEs) amid a function at the Prime Minister’s Office following a meeting between Chairman Regmi and the India n minister. According to the LoEs, India will donate 48 vehicles to the Election Commission and the rest 716 to the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. During Khurshid’s meeting with his Nepali counterpart, the India n minister pledged India ’s all support for the elections. Both the ministers reviewed the joint efforts made to fight flood related disasters, including repair and maintenance works in major bordering rivers.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 03:20:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015