On the red platform

While the Government may seem to have so far made its intentions clear on taking the next step in the nuclear deal largely due to the Prime Minister8217;s insistence, the Ministry of External Affairs appears to have done a quiet favour to the Left even as the current crisis here was coming to a head. Girija Prasad Koirala has offered to quit as Nepal8217;s prime minister after his consultations with New Delhi for support to become Nepal8217;s first President came to an abrupt halt. With the Maoists and the other Left party, the CPN-UML, coming together on the issue of making a Left candidate the president, India8217;s Left is said to have leaned on the Government to withdraw its efforts to elevate Koirala. It was, however, a rude shock for the Nepali Congress, especially for octogenarian Girijababu, who has had a very long association with leaders of the Congress party and has been close to India, unlike the Maoists who have not feared to flaunt the China card. Last heard, revival efforts were under way, but hopes were still low.