KATHMANDU, June 12: Chairman of the Nepal Socialist Party and former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has objected to the allegations made by what he described as people seeking power, calling him an Indian broker.

Speaking at a program held in Kathmandu on Wednesday to mark the party’s founding anniversary, Chairman Bhattarai opined that the country has failed because people see those who try to resolve matters with India as brokers, while those who are desperately seeking power from India to prolong their stay in power are seen as nationalists.

Dr. Bhattarai expressed displeasure, saying that he who initiated the formation of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to resolve the problem and review the unequal treaties and agreements with India is being labeled as an Indian broker. He also clarified that he remained part of the Communist Party to end the monarchy and quit the party after that objective was met.

Chairman Bhattarai said that alternative political power is needed in the country to cancel the unequal treaties and agreements with India. He proposed moving forward by forming a Jana Lokpal to put the country on the path of good governance. He argued that the existing anti-graft bodies, including the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, cannot end corruption as the political parties in power appoint their own people.