Maoists ask PM not to sign major treaties with India

Bhattarai chose not to respond to the standing committee directive. “Yes,at the meeting it was decided that the prime minister should not enter into any major treaty,” party spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said,adding,“such responsibility should be left to the national government formed on the basis of national consensus.”

The committee,however,decided that he was free to discuss and assess the Indian mood on the revision of the 1950 treaty of peace and friendship. Bhattarai was also authorised to seek upgradation of the 120 MW power exchange agreement and removal of the Kosi project’s temporary office that India had built in Biratnagar town in eastern Nepal while reconstructing Kosi barrage. In fact,the Maoist party directive against signing treaties with long-term implication follows some speculation that India wants to formalise the revised draft of the extradition treaty of 1953 along with the mutual legal assistance agreement and approve India’s demand for deploying sky-marshal in Indian aircraft operating to and from Nepal.

On Monday,various political parties also had advised Bhattarai against signing any agreement that can have long-term impact on Nepal-India ties during his visit to India.

Coinciding with the directive issued by the Maoist Party,Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktrantrik (MJF-L) President and Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Gachedar asked the UCPN-M leadership to clarify party’s official position on resignation of his party leader and Defence Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari from the Cabinet. The Maoist Parliamentry Board and Chairman Prachanda have asked for resignation of Bhandari for his controversial statement that there is no law in the country to prevent secession of Madhes if 22 districts there so decide.