Kathmandu, March 28:

A senior Indian leader today said India will have “no objection” even if the Maoists join the interim government. “India is always ready to extend her helping hands for the establishment of peace and stability in Nepal,” DP Tripathi, general secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party of India, said at the Reporters’ Club.

Refuting claims of India’s involvement in the Tarai movement, Tripathi said, “India always wants to see a peaceful and prosperous Nepal.” Asked to comment on the current situation in Nepal and the possibility of the Maoists joining the government, he said, “No country has the right to comment or suggest as to who should join the gover-nment or who should not.”

Tripathi, who is currently in Kathmandu at the invitation of a senior Nepali journalist, said it is up to the Nepalis to decide what is good for Nepal. He also appreciated efforts of the seven-party alliance in bringing the Maoists to the mainstream politics.

Saying that timely elections to a constituent assembly will consolidate the peace process further, Tripathi lauded the CPN-Maoist for “showing a new path” to the whole world. “Indian Maoists are still thinking that violence will succeed,” he said.

Tripathi also met PM GP Koirala, Maoist supremo Prachanda and other leaders. “India wants peace and stability in Nepal,” he added.