Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koriala left for New Delhi, India, for medical treatment Sunday. He flew to Delhi by an Indian Airlines plane at 2:10 PM.

Talking to reporters at the airport, Koirala said the visit is purely for medical checkup of his chest, denying rumors of a possible meeting Maoist leaders while in New Delhi.

“I am not in favor of clandestine talks. When I have to hold talks with the Maoists, I will do it only after informing the people,” he said.

He added, “Had there any plan to meet the Maoist leaders, I would not have decided to take government security men with me,” he clarified.

Koirala’s daughter Sujata, nephew Shekhar Koirala and his personal assistant Balkrishna Dahal are accompanying him.

In New Delhi, he will be holding meetings with Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress (I) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, foreign minister K Natwar Singh and some opposition leaders.

Although, no agendas have been set for the talks, Koirala said all issues of bilateral interest would be discussed.