Will Gyanendra meet Modi in India?

Nepal's deposed king Gyanendra Shah has left for New Delhi amid a political standoff in the Himalayan nation.

Some media reports and leaders claimed that he has been invited by the Indian establishment and was going to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others.

The stalled political process has not resumed in Nepal, including addressing the demands of Madhes-based political parties, besides there being no headway in implementation of the new constitution and resolving the row over federal boundaries, among others.

No statement was made on behalf of Gyanendra's office regarding his India visit and the Indian side, too, has made no remarks.

It is not known whether Gyanendra was invited by the Indian establishment or he was making a personal trip to India but his sojourn to India has stirred Nepali politics.

A media report said Gyanendra has been invited by the Indian establishment this time and was going to meet Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and influential leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh.

Those who saw Gyanendra at Tribhuvan International Airport on Thursday claimed he was in an upbeat mood while leaving for New Delhi.

Gyanendra's visit to India also figured during a meeting of the UCPN (Maoist) Standing Committee here on Friday.

"We have heard that he will have high-profile meetings in New Delhi this time," UCPN (Maoist) vice chairman Nayaran Kaji Shrestha told IANS, adding that his party was closely following Gyanendra's moves.

The meeting also decided to sit in talks with the ruling CPN-UML, main opposition Nepali Congress, agitating Madhes-based parties and others to seek such common ground for national consensus on reconstruction, ending the political standoff, implementation of the constitution and completing the peace process.

"If needed, we have to opt for a new government based on political consensus that can fulfil the key tasks of the nation... we should move on," said Shrestha.

--IANS

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