Maoists tell Madhav Kumar Nepal not to sign Pancheshwar agreement

Kathmandu, Aug 17 (ANI): The Unified CPN (Maoist) has told Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal not to sign any agreements including the Pancheshwar multi-purpose hydro-electric project during his visit to India from August 18.

During an all-party meeting called by Madhav Kumar Nepal in Singhadurbar on Sunday, Maoist leaders told Nepal not to sign any agreements with India without the consensus of the parties and asked him to focus on bilateral cooperation.

Talking to reporters after the meeting Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara said, we support the goodwill visit, but we will not accept if any agreement is signed against the welfare of the nation.

We have heard through the media that the government is preparing to sign various agreements related to Pancheshwar, trade, double taxation, but we urge them not to sign any agreements without the consensus of political parties in Nepal, Mahara added.

However, Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said that the present government has no rights to sign any agreement as it does not have a two-thirds majority in the parliament.

Meanwhile, Madhav Kumar consulted President Ram Baran Yadav on his impending India visit.

According to Kantipur, Nepal told him no controversial pact would be signed and that the two discussed issues of trade, commerce, economic assistance and import of electricity.

However, Madhav Kumar said he wanted to implement the Pancheshwar project for the sake of people and the economy.

Earlier, Nepal's Minister for Commerce and Supplies Rajendra Mahato has said that Nepal and India will ink two key treaties to boost bilateral trade and provide more trade facilities during Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal's visit.

Mahato, who will accompany Nepal during the visit said, "Nepal and India will sign at least two treaties to expand trade and provide more trade facilities including opening new border points for movement of goods between the two countries," Nepalnews reported. (ANI)