India behind collapse of talks: Nepal politician

Vice-chairman of opposition Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) C.P. Gajurel Tuesday blamed India's "interference" for the failure of political parties in Nepal to reach a consensus on deferring the country's constituent assembly elections.

Speaking at a public event, Gajurel said major parties that backed the government were all set to bring the CPN-M on board the poll process, agreeing to postpone the election date, but Indian Foreign Secretary Sujata Singh's visit to Nepal spoiled the talks and consensus efforts, Xinhua reported.

Singh came to Nepal Sep 14 on a two-day official visit when an all-party meeting initiated by Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav was underway.

"Nepal is not free to take its own decision; India is interfering in our internal affairs. Ruling parties were ready to fulfill our demands of roundtable conference and poll deferral but India spoiled (it)," Gajurel said.

The CPN-M had called for the postponement of the constituent assembly elections, which are scheduled for Nov 19, to March or April next year.

It pledged to participate in the electoral exercise if the polls were moved to a later date.

But talks between the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) and the CPN-M broke down Monday.

The CPN-M has also launched a campaign to disrupt the election process.

"Holding the election in the current circumstances will invite further Indian interference in Nepal," Gajurel said.

Stating that his party's boycott will be peaceful, Gajurel also opposed the government's plan of army deployment during the elections.