The sudden visit of Southern neighbour India by Nepali Communist Party coordinator Pushpakamal Dahal “Prachanda” to India and his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national security advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi has raised suspicion in Nepalese political circle. Why did Prachanda meet security advisor of India’s PM during his visit instead of a political leader ? political observers watching Nepal – India relations raise question.
What type of role Prachanda wanted the Indian security advisor to play in the pressent political context of Nepal ? they asked. “The objective of my visit is to gather advise and suggestions (from India) with regards to the latest political developments in Nepal,” Prachanda told a gathering in Delhi after the meeting.
Prachanda’s recent political visit to India has a huge significance in the context of Nepal as the larger parties Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and NCP all are fearing to lose seats in the forthcoming general elections with the rise of new powers such as Rastriya Swotantra Party. The recent unity among RSP chief Ravi Lamichhane, Ujyalo Nepal Party chief Kulman Ghising and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah has threatened the existence of the big traditional parties.
However, Doval is learnt to have told Prachanda that the “election is the best option available for the country at the moment. ” “India gave its support to the upcoming general elections in neighbouring Nepal, which has witnessed political instability after the ‘Gen Z’ protests last year, even as national security adviser Ajit Doval met the country’s former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, “Prachanda,” reports the online edition of News 18.
Doval’s meeting with Prachanda in New Delhi took place late on Sunday (January 4), and focused on safeguarding Nepal’s democracy through immediate elections that the country has announced for March 5, according to the news report.
Whether Prachanda expected any political support from India, or it was just a courtesy call, will become clear once he returns to Kathmandu and makes his statement in this regard.
