This Article is From May 05, 2009

Nepal turmoil: Maoists blame India

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Kathmandu:

After Pakistan and Sri Lanka, now Nepal where the Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda might be out, but the crisis in the country means serious worries for India.

With Nepal accusing India of being the villain of the peace, New Delhi on Tuesday insisted it has no intention of interfering in the crisis.

An all part meet has decided to try and form the new government. The Maoists though have refused to be part of it, so far.

So, as protests continue, the big question is what this means for peace and democracy in the country.

The Maoists protested on the streets of Kathmandu on Tuesday blaming India for the current turmoil.

"It is the Indian ambassador who is to be blamed for the current crisis," said a Maoist supporter.

India has denied this charge vehemently.

"India has no intention of interfering in the internal crisis of Nepal..we wish them well and we hope that the process of democratic transition would be taken to its logical conclusion and peace building will succeed in Nepal," said Anand Sharma, MoS, External Affairs.

That process is already on, through the day political leaders were trying to cobble together a working alliance and woo the Maoist back into power after President Ram Baran Yadav set Friday's deadline for government formation.

"The Maoist will have to be part of the government otherwise the peace process is in danger. It doesn't matter if Prachanda is not there," said Jhalanath Khanal, President, CPN-UML.

Government formation apart, the main worry is to find an acceptable solution to the standoff with the army chief Rookmangud Katawal seen as someone who has India's total support.

The uncertainty in Nepal persists even if the Maoists are back to doing what they do best -- protest and raise the India bogey.

No one has any idea how the current crisis will get resolved but whatever happens the Maoists will remain centrestage.

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