India weighs options

A meeting chaired by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today reviewed the situation in Nepal in view of the strong pro-democracy protests there.

The meeting discussed the Left proposal under which a revived Nepal Parliament will decide on the interim government and the Constituent Assembly before dissolving itself to pave way for elections.

The proposal envisages a change in Nepalese polity from constitutional monarchy to republican democracy. If accepted by India, it would mark a departure from its stated stance in favour of the existing two-pillar system.

Till evening, the government had not responded to the proposal, put forward by CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury in a meeting with the defence minister yesterday.

The Left leader met Mukherjee again today. Yechury is in touch with political parties and the Maoists in Nepal. Although there are differences among Nepal's leaders over interim government leadership, they are learnt to have agreed to the Yechury formula.

The CPI(M) leader has also been assured by the Maoists that they will lay down arms and join the republican government.

Asked if the party was looking at the possibility of exile for Gyanendra, Yechury said, "The writing is on the wall. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs will meet tomorrow to review the situation in Nepal."