She expressed concern at the political instability facing Nepal to visiting Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala on Tuesday in New Delhi.
Quoting Gandhi, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who was present during the meeting, said, "There has been revolutionary changes in Nepal but the gains have not been institutionalized," adding, "Nearly five years and eight months have passed." [break]
Gandhi added that there is urgent need to hold polls to strengthen the democratic, federal and republican system. "Only periodic elections can help to strengthen democracy," Sitaula further quoted Gandhi.
Koirala is on a six-day visit to India at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
In the meeting with Gandhi, which lasted for about 40 minutes, Gandhi assured support and all help from India to Nepal.
The duo also discussed the age-old ties between the NC and Indian National Congress.
Koirala extends invitation to Gandhi
NC President Koirala during the meeting also extended an invitation to UPA Chairperson Gandhi to visit Nepal.
On the invitation, Gandhi has told Koirala that she will consider visiting Nepal after the elections.
"Soniaji expressed her willingness to visit Nepal on a suitable date after the elections," NC General Secretary Sitaula told Republica after the meeting.
We will wait only for a week, Govt will not change: Koirala tells Sonia
During the meeting with Gandhi, NC President Koirala lamblasted the elements opposing the polls and demanding the resignation of Regmi government.
Koirala also told Gandhi that the major political parties were ready for talks with opposing voices (Baidya-led alliance and other agitating parties) and "the issue would be resolved within a week.”
Sitaula told Republica that Koirala also said, "The polls will not be postponed in the name of negotiations. We will go ahead with elections as per schedule."
Sitaula also quoted Koirala as saying, "The present government will not be changed as demanded by Mohan Baidya, nor will the election process be altered."
Koirala also said that "there will be many problems to face if the elections are not held on time."
Present in the meeting with Gandhi was Indian Congress party´s foreign affairs department head Karan Singh.
Koirala was flanked by Sitaula and another secretary general Prakash Man Singh, who are accompanying Koirala in this visit.
Other meetings
On Tuesday, Koirala attended a luncheon meeting with India´s Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid and discussed the upcoming elections.
Likewise, he also met with leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha (India´s Lower House), Sushma Swaraj.
Koirala also had a warm and cordial meeting with Mulayam Singh Yadav, chief of Samajwadi Party, the ruling party in the Uttar Pradesh. Yadav is said to have given assurances of all help and support to Nepal.
Since UP shares an open border with Nepal, all political parties can rest assured of all help and support from UP, Yadav said.
Rajnath Singh urges Nepal to think once again about Hindu nation
It has been revealed on Tuesday that during Koirala´s meeting with the President of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajnath Singh, the latter has urged Nepali leadership to think once again about Nepal´s status as Hindu nation which was dropped after doing away with the institution of monarchy in the wake of the Jana Andolan II.
"We request you all to think along the lines of a Hindu nation," Singh told Koirala during the meeting, according to sources.
Singh, however, is said to have told Koirala that "It is not monarchy but Hindu status that we are concerned about."
This is the first time that a leader of opposition BJP has openly lobbied in favor of Hindu nation for Nepal. BJP is close to India´s Rastriya Swayamsevek Sangh.
Asked to comment on what transpired during the meeting, General Secretary Sitaula did not want to make any comment. "Nepal used to have a unique identity as Hindu nation in the past. He just showed concern about that during the meeting," Sitaula told Republica.
Related story
Draft Federal Civil Service Bill: Govt employees don't have to...
