Eye on Left , Nepal parties join hands

CPI(M) leader in the Rajya Sabha Nilotpal Basu told The Indian Express: ‘‘We have already met once last week and made our views known. That they have approached us is part of the overall international understanding. When it comes up during the session, the government and our party will make our statements. We will also be addressing this issue in Parliament.’’

Koirala said contact had been established with Maoists in Nepal but said they had not yet decided whether to join cause on the rebels’ call for abolition of monarchy. Leader of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Pradeep Giri, however, said there was no question of contacting Maoists. ‘‘When we came to India and met people here, they said India would not be in a position to help unless the political parties of Nepal were united in their cause,’’ said Koirala.

The other leaders are Gobind Koirala from UML, Rajendra Mahato from Sadbhavna Party, Chitra Bahadur K.C. from Ekta Kendra Mashal and Chandra Devi Joshi from CPN United.