Nepal’s hardline Maoist leader CP Gajurel on Tuesday blamed India for the failure of talks on reaching a consensus to defer Constituent Assembly polls, as he warned of launching an unprecedented boycott to thwart the elections if his party is bypassed.
Gajurel said parties were close to a deal, but consensus could not be forged because of Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh. “Recently, the chances of forging agreement went in vain after the Indian foreign secretary met leaders of the major four political parties,” the CPN-Maoist leader claimed.
Foreign Secretary Singh came to Nepal on September 14 during which she said, “I am hopeful that the elections will be held in November as per schedule”. Nepal has decided to elect a 601-member Constituent Assembly in the November polls, increasing the strength of the body by 110.
Gajurel claimed the motive behind holding the elections was to take Nepal closer to “Sikkimisation”. He accused India of running possible agreements with it.