Baburam Bhattarai on Tuesday claimed his resignation from UCPN (Maoist) has no connection with India’s “unofficial border blockade”.

The blocakde is against the international treaty on trade and transit, he said at an interaction in Lamahi, Dang.

Bhattarai also said that he was visiting Kailali district despite the request of the local administration to cancel the trip, citing security concerns. He said he would be meeting the local Tharu community in Kailali.

The former Maoist leader is travelling to different parts of the country as a part of his campaign to form a new political force. Noting that the political campaign of promulgating a constitution through the Constituent Assembly has been completed, Bhattarai said the next big step was the realisation of the visions for New Nepal through economic development. Earlier in the day, he addressed a protest rally organised by Tharuhat/Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee where he said the movement of Tharu and Madhesi communities was valid and their demands should be addressed.