India meddling in Nepal affairs, says opposition

Kathmandu: An alliance of Nepalese opposition parties led by the Communist Party of Nepal-UML on Friday rallied here and accused India of meddling in the countrys internal affairs. Hundreds of supporters of these parties gathered here and flayed not only the Madhes-based parties but also the Nepal government. Opposition leaders Ishwor Pokhrel, Communist Party of Nepal General Secretary, CPN-ML leader C.P. Mainali, Rashtriya Jana Morcha leader Chitra Bahadur KC and others accused India of interfering in Nepals affairs. They flayed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda for allegedly dancing to the tunes of New Delhi. The opposition leaders said the Prachandas government was a "puppet" of foreign powers and that a constitutional amendment bill had been tabled in Parliament to appease India, not Madhes-based parties. The rally was called to protest against what these parties said was the "anti-national" bill registered by the Nepal government in Parliament to address the demands of Madhes parties on citizenship, language, change in provincial boundaries and making the new Constitution more acceptable to the marginalised and minority communities including the Madhesis. The protesters marched through Kathmandu, throwing normal life out of gear throughout the day. CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister K.P. Oli said his party and its allies will not support the "anti-national" bill since it showcases a grave conspiracy to divide the Himalayan country. He also accused Madhes parties of working to destroy Nepals national identity and language. The bill was registered on November 29, 2016 but could not be taken up in for debate in Parliament due to obstruction from opposition parties. The treasury benches are short of the required two third votes to approve the bill, the passage of which is crucial to hold elections in Nepal and to meet the demands of agitating Madhes parties. The Madhes parties have warned they wont participate in future elections if the bill is not endorsed by Parliament.-Agency