India will work together with Maoists-led govt: Indian envoy

Kathmandu, Apr 22 (UNI) Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee said today India will work together with Maoists-led government in Nepal.

Speaking at a press conference before leaving to India, on completion of his tenure in the Himalayan nation, he said the Maoists are the legitimate force and India would not hesitate to work with them.

The Indian Naxalite groups should also take the lesson from the Maoists. ''If they can take oxygen from the Maoists of Nepal then they can learn,''he added.

Answering to a question about the future of monarchy in Nepal Mr Mukherjee said India would support the decision of Nepal regarding the future of monarchy.

Maoists leader Prachanda as well as other political parties of Nepal have said the monarchy would be abolished by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly which is scheduled to be held within a few days time.

The counting of votes of 240 seats of the First Past the Post had been completed. Maoists have won 120 seats, Nepali Congress 37 seats followed by the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) with 33 seats.

The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) bagged 30 seats while Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP)had won 9 seats.

The remaining seats have been won by the small parties and two independent candidates.

UNI XC JT AS2135