The Hindu : National : CPI concerned over supply of weapons to Nepal

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Monday, Apr 25, 2005

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CPI concerned over supply of weapons to Nepal

Special Correspondent

Bardhan seeks action against Modi Government

"If India continues to exert pressure, there is a good chance for the restoration of democracy in Nepal."

JAIPUR: The Communist Party of India general secretary, A.B. Bardhan, has expressed concern over the promise made by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, to the Nepal King, Gyanendra, to resume supply of weapons.

"We find it objectionable," he told presspersons here on Sunday. "India should not do anything to give legitimacy to the present regime in Nepal."

Referring to the talks the Prime Minister, Dr. Singh had with King Gyanendra in Jakarta on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian-African summit there, Mr. Bardhan said the CPI would send a "note" to Dr. Singh in this regard. "The Left parties will also raise it in the United Progressive Alliance-Left Coordination Committee meeting." Mr. Bardhan, who was here to attend a meeting of the CPI State council, said India should not have assured help to Nepal in such a hurry. "This will only strengthen the King."

"An emergency is in force in that country and there is official repression against political workers. Protesters are greeted with arrests. As many as 800 persons are in jail. Many political functionaries, including Madhav Nepal, general secretary of the Communist Party, are under house arrest," he said.

"There is all round pressure on the Nepal King. The pressure from India has already shown some results and if it continues to exert pressure, there is a good chance for the restoration of democracy there."

"Mute spectators"

The CPI leader, who defended the Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, in the wake of the developments which followed the rail accident in Gujarat sought "stern action" against the Narendra Modi Government for the attack on the Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, after the train accident at Samalaya. "The action could be the invocation of Article 355 or even 356 as the UPA deems fit."

Reacting to the "condemnation" of Mr. Prasad at a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's working committee in Rajasthan on Saturday, Mr. Bardhan said that instead of expressing regret at not safeguarding a Union Ministerthe Gujarat Government was trying to cover up its mistakes. "It is the responsibility of the State to protect a Union Minister. The administration and political leadership in Gujarat remained mute spectators when Mr. Lalu Prasad was attacked."

"The train accident was unfortunate. There should be a full enquiry and the guilty should be punished. But the Railway Minister's going to the site of the accident was unavoidable. It was his duty. The State Government did not fulfil its duty in protecting him," Mr. Bardhan said.

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