Maoists, who are set to stake claim to form a new government in Nepal, have dismissed reports that India is their "principal enemy".
Baburam Bhattarai, a senior Maoist leader from Nepal, on a visit to the city on Thursday said that the Indo-Nepal border would be regulated if a Maoist government comes to power in the mountain nation. Bhattarai has played a crucial role in toppling the monarchy in the country.
He also said that a new treaty would be signed by the two countries in place of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
When asked about the Maoist revolution India, Bhattarai said, “Like other parties have relations with their counterparts in other nations, we also share ideological relations with Maoist leaders in India. However, there is no import or export of revolution that takes place. Maoist leaders in India have their own agenda, while our agenda has been different from theirs.”
He added: “I have met senior political leaders. They also think that there cannot be a stable government in Nepal unless the Maoist party is given an important role in preparing the Constitution.”
Despite having a majority, the Maoists have been unable to put in place a prime minister from the Communist Party of Nepal (M). Sixteen attempts to do the same have proved to be unsuccessful. There are apprehensions that this state of affairs could lead to a military coup.
Bhattarai, who is in the city to deliver an Anuradha Ghandy memorial lecture, said, “This would be the final attempt. We have time till May to get our PM elected. If a party that has won a majority is not made part of the ruling government, it would not be possible to make a Constitution and run the government smoothly.”
Bhattarai’s name is a favourite from his party for the prime minister’s post. He said his party would strengthen ties between the two countries if it formed a government.
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