India is interfering in Nepal's affairs: Maoists' leader

Kathmandu, June 7 (UNI) Maoists' Chairman Prachanda has said India is interfering in Nepal's politics, local media reports said here today.

"India has no right to push some parties close to each other and distance some other party," The Kathmandu Post quoted Prachanda as saying.

During a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a delegation of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) (CPN-UML) party in New Delhi yesterday, Dr Singh said the unity between Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML should be strengthened for the democracy in Nepal.

"Why did it (India) say so? We want an answer.In the current critical situation, India should either ask all the eight parties to move ahead together or remain silent," the Maoists' Chairman commented.

Prachanda said, "Is it up to India and America to direct how Nepal's political parties should move ahead or is it up to the people of Nepal?" Accusing the palace as well as India of trying to weaken the Maoists, Prachanda said, "We won't participate in the constituent assembly elections in this situation. First, parliament should declare a republic." Maoists, who launched an armed rebellion in 1996 that killed more than 13,000 people, joined the government after eight parties signed a peace agreement, ending the monarchy and restoring the democracy in Nepal.

UNI