Didn’t misread: Prachanda gets a Pranab invite

Setting aside doubts over India’s interpretation of Maoist triumph in Nepal, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee...

Setting aside doubts over India’s interpretation of Maoist triumph in Nepal, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has called up Maoist leader Prachanda to congratulate him on the electoral victory and invited him to pay an official visit to India.

Addressing the mediapersons at the India-Arab Investment Projects Conclave on Friday, Mukherjee said it did not misread the situation where the Maoists romped to a surprise victory.

“No question of misreading. We requested the Maoists to join the multi-party democratic political system in Nepal and join the mainstream by giving up violence. They have done

so.”

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On Tuesday, Mukherjee invited Prachanda to India over the phone and conveyed India’s willingness to work with his party towards building a stable Nepal.

He also assured him of India’s support.

Accepting the invitation, Prachanda is learnt to have sought continued support from New Delhi as the new political dispensation prepares to take charge in Kathmandu. He also appreciated India’s support as the political process took its own time.

Striking a chord with the Indian Government, the Maoist leader is understood to have conveyed to Mukherjee that he sees India’s role as vital in the future.

The phone call indicates India’s willingness to abide by the democratic verdict and to take the relationship forward so that the next important steps towards drawing up a constitution for Nepal can be achieved through consensus in the Constituent Assembly.

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Mukherjee said the people of Nepal have voted a new Constituent Assembly which will now frame a Constitution.

The Maoists, who are set to lead a new coalition Goverment in Nepal, have said the 240-year-old monarchy will be abolished within a month.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s royal family is believed to be in touch with their friends and relatives in India.

Asked whether he was open to the idea of giving political asylum to the King of Nepal, Mukherjee shot back, “I do not know whether anyone has sought any asylum. It is a hypothetical question.”