Prachanda raises anti-India rhetoric at Nepal Maoist conclave

KATHMANDU: Maoists chief Prachanda today stepped up his anti-India rhetoric as he battles for supremacy in the ultra-left group at a key party conclave to formulate its future strategy in a bid to return to power in Nepal.

Presenting a controversial political document at the party's plenum at Palungtar of western Nepal's Gorkha district today, the chairman of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) called for "people's unity" to fight against Indian interference in the country, the nepalnews online reported.

Prachanda claimed Indian intervention was one among the many problems facing the country. He said Indian intervention is not the only problem, but blamed domestic reactionary forces for actively being engaged in "demoralising and paralysing" the democratic achievements, according to the report.

He said the party is ready to make all sacrifice to safeguard the national integrity and sovereignty.

Prachanda has frequently engaged in bitter attacks on India and accused New Delhi of interfering in Nepal's affairs and "dictating" to its leadership. The Maoists have even blamed India for its inability to form a government under its leadership amid the political standoff over the election of a new prime minister.

In the past, the Maoists have regularly called for a new understanding with India on the basis of "changed scenario" in Nepal and after addressing all outstanding issues.

The Maoists, who have been accused by New Delhi of providing arms training to Indian Naxalites, have called for revision of the landmark 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty and resolving Kalapani and Susta border disputes with India

Last month, the Maoist cadres pelted stones at the convoy of Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood in Nepal's Solukhumbu district while he was visiting development projects being built with assistance from New Delhi.

Nepal's main Opposition kicked-off on Sunday the sixth party plenum to formulate its future strategy amid the political deadlock over the formation of a new government.

The leaders hope the three-day meeting will give a new direction to the party that is facing an ideological dilemma after joining the peace process amid growing factionalism among the former rebels.

The crucial conclave of top leaders in Palungar is seen as a battle ground to capture the ideological high ground with three different political documents from Prachanda, senior vice president Mohan Vaidya 'Kiran' and Vice President Baburam Bhattarai.

According to sources, attempt to find a consensus has failed amid fears that the determination of Vaidya and Bhattarai to take on Prachanda may deepen the factionlism in the party.

The UCPN-Maoist meet comes in the midst of a political deadlock in the country over the formation of new government.

The country has been in a political limbo since the June 30 resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal under intense Maoists pressure. It has stalled the country's peace process and brought the nation on the brink of financial crisis.