Nepal must hold Constitutional Assembly polls on time: Menon

Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said on Sunday that holding the Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal...

Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said on Sunday that holding the Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal on schedule and in a free and fair manner was of “critical importance” as it would affect the legitimacy of the political system in the country.

Menon, who met top Nepalese political leadership including Prime Minister G P Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda, extended full support to Nepal in its “transition to democracy” and sought early conclusion of the peace process.

The meetings came as a two-day deadline set by Prachanda before Koirala to fulfill the 22-point demand of the Maoists, including declaring Nepal a republican state immediately, was due to expire on Monday.

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The Constituent Assembly will draft Nepal’s new constitution, besides deciding the fate of the sidelined monarchy whose abolition is being sought by the Maoists.

“India has consistently believed that these elections will allow the people of Nepal to choose the manner in which they wish their country to be governed by giving to themselves a new constitution. But the election must be held as per schedule and ‘in an environment free of fear and intimidation’,” Menon said.

Menon, on meeting Prachanda, warned him their withdrawal from the Government or delaying the poll would discredit them.

The Foreign Secretary also conveyed India’s deepest condolences on the loss of life and property during the recent blasts in Kathmandu, in which three people, including two schoolgirls, died.

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Referring to the blasts as an ‘act of cowardice’, Menon said India strongly condemns the act targeting innocent citizens.

Besides the polls, the ongoing peace process, flood control in border areas and bilateral cooperation figured during the high-level talks between Menon and the Nepalese officials.

“The visit afforded an opportunity to continue regular high-level consultations between the two countries and discuss ways and means of further expanding and strengthening the close, friendly and wide-ranging relations between the two countries,” Menon said. The Foreign Secretary also offered India’s support and material help to conduct the November 22 elections during his meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Ghimire.