New Delhi, October 28:

Former prime minister and founding member of the Nepali Congress, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, today said that decisions should not focus on arms management. Bhattarai was speaking to journalists here.

He came here to attend a programme organised by the South Asian Civil Initiatives on the occasion of the centenary of the satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi.

“No weapons-centric decision should be made. Those keeping arms have to know and learn when to lay down arms,” said Bhattarai. “Our andolan is still incomplete. We will again need your support,” said Bhattarai, He, however, did not clarify the kind of andolan or support.

Bhattarai said that he met Mahatma Gandhi during his education period in Kashi in 2007 BS. He said that he had urged Gandhi to write a letter to the Ranas in Nepal to release leaders, including BP Koirala, from jail. When the Indian papers, after getting a whiff of Gandhi writing the letter published the news, the Ranas released BP Koirala.

Bhattarai also demanded the release of Myanmar’s Aung San Suuki. He said, “Suuki should be allowed to travel freely.” Speaking on the occasion, general secretary of Rastrabadi Congress Party DP Tripathi said, “The 19 days of andolan without bloodshed in Nepal is an example for the whole of South Asia.”

Sarad Yadav of the Janata Dal United said Nepal would soon tread the complete path of loktantra. Vice chairperson of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Prakash Man Singh, NC leader Chandra Bhandari and Myanmarese leader Dr Tingswe also addressed the gathering.

Representatives of socialist parties of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet attended the function.