India behind collapse of poll talks in Nepal: Maoist leader

Nepal's hardline Maoist leader C P Gajurel today blamed India for the failure of talks on reaching a consensus to defer the Constituent Assembly polls, as he warned of launching an unprecedented boycott to thwart the November 19 elections if his party is bypassed.
Speaking at an event, Gajurel said the political parties were close to reach a deal, but consensus could not be forged after Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh met with leaders of the four major political parties.
"Recently, the chances of forging agreement went in vain after the Indian foreign secretary met leaders of the major four political parties," the CPN-Maoist leader claimed.

Foreign Secretary Singh came to Nepal on September 14 on a two-day visit during which she extended India's support to the interim government and said, "I am hopeful that the elections will be held in November as per schedule".
Gajurel claimed the motive behind holding the elections was to take Nepal closer to "Sikkimisation". He accused India of running possible agreements with it.
Yesterday, talks between CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance and High Level Political Committee (HLPC) comprising four major political parties - Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) - broke down after they failed to reach an agreement on convening a round table conference to decide on contentious issues.

The CPN-M has been demanding to postpone the Constituent Assembly polls from November 19 to March or April next year.

"Nepal's politics is not in the hands of Nepali people," Gajurel was quoted as saying by ekantipur.Com.
He said his party will launch a boycott campaign, which will be the first of its kind in Nepal's history, to thwart the election.
"We will announce various stir programmes so as to boycott the elections," Gajurel said.
He said his party will "take control of those who want to file nominations in the election" if the Constituent Assembly polls is held without its participation. The candidates will be released respectfully after the nomination time is over, he said.

Gajurel said the government is performing unilaterally though it was formed by the major political forces.
The warning by Interim Election Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi that he would resign as government chief rather than as Chief Justice showed that current government was operating in a unilateral manner, he said.