"Logically, the UCPN (Maoist) should form the next government by virtue of being the largest party. If not, then it has to be a government acceptable to us," he told Republica after concluding high-level talks with Indian leaders here Friday.[break]
He also expressed this opinion during the two-day seminar entitled Recent Developments in Nepal -- The Way Forward" organized by the Vivekananda International Foundation in New Delhi.
Speaking to Republica he said, "The basis for political reconciliation must be a fusion of ideology between the political parties and integration and rehabilitation of the PLA combatants as well as democratization of the national army." He added, "The other two bases are socio-economic transformation for the underprivileged and backward classes and most importantly a consensus among parties on nationalism and foreign policy."
He further said, "We have to achieve all these within the next four to five months. But first we must agree on the modality of constitution-making, integration and power-sharing."
Terming his India visit fruitful for the country in general and his party in particular, Bhattarai said, "My visit has helped to understand each others´ positions in particular and India´s concerns in general."
"India is worried over the delay in the conclusion of the peace process and constitution-drafting and the instability that it invites for Nepal. They wish to see the country move ahead with greater understanding amongst the political parties," Bhattarai added.
Seminar concludes
On Thursday, the seminar concluded with three sessions on Tarai in Nepal Politics, Nepal´s Economy and Indo-Nepal Relations. Jeetendra Narayan Dev, the general secretary and spokesperson of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal, Prashant Jha, a Kathmandu-based journalist for The Hindu, Anil Jha, the general secretary of Sadbhawana Party and Babita Basnet, president of Sancharika Samuha spoke on Tarai.
Likewise, Manish Mohan, the additional director and head of South Asia Division at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, noted economist Bishwambher Pyakuryakl and Sujeev Shakya of Beed Management Consultancy spoke on Nepal´s economy. Similarly, Prof Lok Raj Baral, ambassador Shambhu Ram Simkhada and Vikram Sood, vice-president of Oberver Research Foundation of New Delhi spoke on Indo-Nepal relations.
Sujata holds talks
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala too held talks with Indian Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and the National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon on the sidelines of the two-day conference, Nepal embassy in New Delhi informed Republica.
Bhattarai meets home minister, FM, Swaraj
During his three-day visit to New Delhi, Dr Bhattarai met with Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram and Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna on Friday. He also held talks with the leader of opposition BJP, Sushma Swaraj, on Thursday. He had on Wednesday held talks with Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and the National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon. Bhattarai will return home Saturday.
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