NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday welcomed the developments in Nepal and hoped that with the beginning of a process the situation would return to normality.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi congratulated Girija Prasad Koirala on his nomination as the prime ministerial candidate by the Seven Party Alliance. Ms. Gandhi said she had been following with keen interest the momentous developments which have led to the restoration of multi-party democracy and handing over of political power to the representatives of the people of Nepal.

In her letter to Mr. Koirala, she assured him and the people of Nepal of "our full support in the task of consolidating the victory'' of the people of Nepal and addressing the economic challenges that faced them.

"I am confident that with your vast experience and wise and able leadership the new government will meet with success in facing these challenges. You have our very best wishes'', she said.

The Congress also articulated its broad definition of a constitutional or ceremonial monarchy in which the crown is guided by advice of a democratic Government. However, it was finally up to the people of Nepal to decide.

"Hasten slowly"

"We believe it [development in Nepal] must be viewed as a process and cannot be viewed as a win-lose situation. We hope that all parties concerned will hasten but hasten slowly in the right direction,'' Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

He said the mere use of a "technical word of`ceremonial or constitutional monarchy" may not be helpful unless it was defined and it was for the genius of people of Nepal to do so. Mr. Singhvi said that as per the party a constitutional monarch could be defined as one who has no power to dismiss (the government) or change the (constitutional) structure but guided by advice from a democratic government.

"Involve all"

Whatever the technical word it meant the same but it has to be based on stability and equilibrium. Without any mention of the possible role for Maoists, Mr. Singhvi said the major and not-so-major stakeholders have to be involved in this process.

The Congress said the role of the Government of India has been that of a catalyst and a constructive friend and a facilitator and hoped that it would lead to an era of stability and lasting peace.

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