'We are not in favour of a monarchy in Nepal,' says Indian Congress team

Kathmandu, Feb 13 : The visiting delegation of Congress leaders from India on Wednesday made it clear that their party is not in favour of a monarchy in Nepal.

Emerging from a meeting with senior Nepali Congress leaders, All India Congress Committee General Secretary Digvijay Singh said his party was never in favour of a monarchy.

The main opposition party in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been opposing the declaration of a republic by the interim parliament in Nepal.

Nepali Congress (NC) acting President Sushil Koirala also held discussions with the five-member Congress Party delegation from India at NC central office in Sanepa.

Digvijay Singh said elections in Nepal would be held under the leadership of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

"We are very close to achieving the demand for [a new] Constitution from BP (Koirala) babu's time," Kantipuronline quoted Singh, as saying.

He went on to say that everyone should try to resolve differences if any.

During their meeting with Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) leaders, the five-member team said India would not interfere in the internal matters of Nepal and would accept any verdict of the Nepalese on the monarchy.

Commenting on the Madhesi crisis, Singh said he would urge Madhesi leaders to come together for talks.

UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal was also present at the meeting.

The delegation also called on CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Terai-Madhes Democratic Party chief Mahantha Thakur and other Madhesi leaders.

The delegation will also meet former Prime Minister and senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Pashupati Sumsher Rana later in the day.

The high-level Indian delegation is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala before their departure for New Delhi tomorrow.

Digvijay Singh, Joint Secretary of Congress Party Foreign Department Ranbir Thakur, Press department chief Veerappa Moily, Shakil Ahmed and Jitin Prasad arrived Kathmandu on a three-day visit on Koirala's invitation.

Sources said the delegation would submit a report to Congress party president Sonia Gandhi and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh after their return to the Indian Capital.

ANI