A senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Sitaram Yechuri, has said India should have no objection towards possible role of the United Nations (UN) in Nepal peace process.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala

Leader of CPI (M) Sitaram Yechuri (File Photo)
Responding to a query that India was reportedly against a major role of the UN in Nepal’s peace process, Yechuri said as a sovereign country, it was up to the people of Nepal to decide what role the UN should have in the peace process of Nepal. “India should neither have any recommendation nor intervention in this regard,” he added.

Addressing a “face to face” programme organized at the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu on Saturday, Yechuri said India completely supports the process that is going on in Nepal so that there is democracy, peace and stability in Nepal.

When asked to comment on US envoy James F. Moriarty’s statement that Maoists must renounce violence before joining the interim government, Yechuri said, “In independent countries, it is up to the people of that country to decide on major issues. Nobody can impose conditions from outside. This is gross violation of international norms,” he added.

When asked if he had come to mediate between the ruling Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and CPN (Maoist) in Nepal, Yechuri said he had not come as an intermediary or mediator. “I have come with a message of goodwill on behalf of the Indian people,” he added. He, however, said he had met with Prime Minister GP Koirala and top Maoist leaders, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, during his visit and found that they were committed towards the eight-point agreement between them.

Responding to a query by Nepalnews if he advised the Maoist leadership to renounce violence permanently, Yechuri said they have already made public their commitment towards multiparty politics and competitive politics, which was a major departure in their policy. “In a communist party, when you take a decision, it is based on ideological position and it can’t be reversed in a day or two. So, there is no greater declaration necessary,” he added.

Saying that CPI (M) was the third largest party and was running governments in three states in India, Yechuri said, “Our appeal to the CPN (Maoist) and Naxalites in India is that they should give up violence and return to mainstream.”

When asked about the detention of nearly 140 Nepali Maoist leaders and cadres in Indian prisons, Yechuri said political context had changed in Nepal and he hoped that the Indian government would take appropriate decision in view of the new context.

He also lauded the role Nepali media played in the restoration of democracy in Nepal. n