Delhi146;s next Nepal step: Get terms from Maoists

With restoration of Parliament in Nepal and the Seven Party Alliance choosing G P Koirala for the prime ministership, India hopes nothing goes wrong on two fronts 8212; the Maoists and the monarchy

With restoration of Parliament in Nepal and the Seven Party Alliance choosing G P Koirala for the prime ministership, India hopes nothing goes wrong on two fronts 8212; the Maoists and the monarchy 8212; that may jeopardise the shift towards multiparty democracy.

When the alliance begins negotiations with the Maoists, India expects them to stress two key points in the 12-point agreement between the alliance and the Maoists for the latter8217;s entry into the political mainstream: their commitment to multiparty democracy and shunning of violence. Only then would the new regime get the approval of the international community. India8217;s understanding is that China would not act differently on this.

India believes the blockade announced by the Maoists, following the king8217;s announcement on restoration of Parliament, was based on ideological positions and would end once constituent assembly elections are announced.

This was also the position taken by the Indian Left that mediated in talks among the Nepalese parties. CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury, who floated a four-point formula for the establishment of multiparty democracy said Maoist protests would continue till constituent assembly elections, but they would be peaceful.

The protests stem from anxiety that if they lay down arms at this stage and join the alliance, they would be completely vulnerable in case developments did not take place in accordance with the agreement. Their continued protests would be to ensure that constituent assembly elections are announced.

Yechury, who is expected to attend Koirala8217;s swearing-in on Friday, has been in regular touch with top Maoist leaders Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai and spoke to them last night. While the Maoists were keen on restoration of multiparty democracy, they apprehended that it may be subverted by the monarchy and royalists.

8216;8216;This is not something to be worried about. It is a major issue for the ultra-Left to join the democratic mainstream,8217;8217; Yechury said, adding that if the Maoists were to join the democratic process, it could only follow the election of a constituent assembly. While India expects the Maoists to act politically, not militarily, it believes that the monarchy8217;s future also depends on the way Gyanendra conducts himself in the coming days. The Indian understanding is that the monarch may have only a ceremonial role.