Indian leaders have said that it would be better for Nepal to go for local polls by accommodating all political forces, a position New Delhi has maintained since Nepal adopted a new constitution in September 2015.

During meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi in the Indian capital, former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and Indian Nationalist Congress General Secretary DP Tripathi—both of them do not represent the Indian government—were of the view that Nepal should work to accommodate all political forces before going for polls. The position of the Indian government is similar to what Singh and Tripathi conveyed to Nidhi. DPM Nidhi is in the Indian capital to participate in Counter Terrorism Conference 2017 organised by the Indian Foundation.

Nidhi’s visit to Delhi comes amid political stand-off in Nepal, with the Madhes-based parties opposing government’s plan to hold local polls.

Five supporters of the Madhes-based parties were killed in police firing when the Madhes-based parties were protesting against an election rally of the CPN-UML.

“They [Singh and Tripathi] enquired about the latest political development and efforts being made to address the demands of the Madhes-based parties,” said Nidhi. “I told them that constitution amendment and demands of Madhes-based parties are our internal matter and informed them about the ongoing talks with the Madhes-based parties to bring them on board,” Nidhi told Post.

The Madhes-based parties have been demanding that the government amend the constitution before going for polls. A constitution amendment bill is stuck in Parliament with the UML vehemently

objecting to amendment to the constitution and making a strong pitch for elections at any cost.

Amid pressure, the government on February 20 declared local level elections for May 14. India, however, has not released any official statement since Nepal announced local level elections.

Kanchanpur incident to figure in talks

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi, who is in New Delhi to participate in a conference, is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other top leaders of ruling and opposition parties. “I will request the Indian side to investigate into the Kanchanpur incident in which a fellow countryman had died,” said Nidhi. Gobinda Gautam, 32, of Punarbas in Kanchanpur district died on March 9 when Indian border security forces opened fire during an altercation between Nepali and Indian locals over the construction of a culvert. Nepal has already handed over a diplomatic note to India, condemning the killing and demanding a thorough probe into the incident. India has said the Sashastra Seema Bal has launched an enquiry on the matter. Nidhi is planning to provide post-mortem and forensic reports as sought by the India side. (PR)

Nidhi calls for solidarity against terrorism

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi has called for resolute international action in the fight against terrorism.

Addressing the Counter Terrorism Conference in Delhi, Nidhi said Nepal unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “Nepal never allows its land to be exploited by any groups which try to carry out terrorist activities anywhere in our region or beyond,” he said.

The home minister added that terrorism should never be used as a means to achieve any goal. “It is also important that we never let an environment be created that enables propagation of the scourge of terrorism.

“As a member of the United Nations, Saarc and Bimstec, Nepal has signed several international conventions on counter-terrorism, including on aircraft safety, maritime safety, against taking hostages, as well as the UN Security Council Resolutions. Nepal remains fully committed to implementing them despite the constraints of resources and technical capabilities,” said Nidhi. (PR)