Kathmandu, September 11

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae today called on top leaders of major parties and encouraged them to deliver a new constitution with broadest possible consensus among the concerned stakeholders, including agitating Madhesi parties.

Ambassador Rae called on Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli and UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at their respective residences and expressed India’s concern about the ongoing violence.

According to Oli’s aide Ramesh Acharya, the Indian envoy stated that though it was an internal matter of Nepal, New Delhi wanted to see an early promulgation of the new constitution with the broadest possible consensus among the parties, including those representing Tharus and Madhesis.

“It would be wiser to bring a constitution to the satisfaction of all stakeholders,” Acharya quoted Ambassador Rae as telling Oli. Oli reminded the envoy that the government, parties and the leaders, in their different capacities, had offered to hold talks with the agitating parties to address their ‘appropriate demands’ but they had rejected the talks offer.

“The constitution will be promulgated soon and even after its issuance the genuine concerns of the protesting parties can be addressed by amending the constitution,” Oli told Rae.

According to PM’s aide Atul Koirala, the Indian envoy talked with the PM about the recent political situation of the country. Rae conveyed to the PM that the violence should end before the constitution is promulgated.

According to Dahal’s aide Shiva Khakurel, the UCPN-M chairman told Rae that the leading parties were constantly discussing ways to address the concerns of the disgruntled parties.