Prachanda upbeat on India leadership

Nepal’s Maoist supremo Prachanda today expressed confidence that the Indian leadership would respect Nepalese people’s “sentiments” and hoped that the crippling blockade “imposed” by India on Nepal will not be repeated.

Addressing the 13th convention of Nepali Congress to elect its new leader after the death of its ex-president Sushil Koirala, UCPN Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal wondered what was the fault on the part of Nepal that “prompted” India to impose a blockade on Nepal.

“I would like to ask through Koshiary ji what was our fault that made India to impose blockade to Nepal,” said Prachanda at the event attended by Bhagat Singh Koshiary, vice-president of BJP.

He also said that such incident should not be repeated in future now.

“Nepal has undergone a lot of political experiments. I would seek neighbours’ support in our political experiments,” said Prachanda who is known for his anti-India stance.

“I want to convey this message to the leadership of India through the leaders who are present here,” he said.

“We want friendship between our two countries, which are bind together by our unique history, culture, economy and no one can separate them,” Prachanda said.

Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, led a nearly six-month-long violent protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the new Constitution that divides their ancestral homeland that claimed over 50 lives before being called off unexpectedly.

Nepal has accused India of imposing the “economic blockade”, which India has denied. Other than Koshiary, the convention was also attended by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and general secretary of Socialist International Luis Ayala.

“India wants to see a prosperous and strong Nepal. I want to see Nepal to be connected with India through railway line very soon,” Koshiary said.

Nepal’s former Prime Minister and Congress senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba also addressed the convention.