Nepal's Maoist supremo Prachanda today expressed confidence that the Indian leadership would respect Nepalese people's "sentiments" and hoped that the crippling blockade "imposed" by India on Nepal will not be repeated.
Addressing the 13th convention of Nepali Congress to elect its new leader after the death of its ex-president Sushil Koirala, UCPN Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda wondered what was the fault on the part of Nepal that "prompted" India to impose a blockade on Nepal.
"I would like to ask through Koshiary ji what was our fault that made India to impose blockade on Nepal," said Prachanda at the event attended by Bhagat Singh Koshiary, vice-president of BJP and former Uttarakhand chief minister.
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He also said that such blockades should not be repeated in future.
"Nepal has undergone a lot of political experiments. I would seek neighbours' support in our political experiments," said Prachanda who is known for his anti-India stance.
"I want to convey this message to the leadership of India through the leaders who are present here," he said.
"We want friendship between our two countries, which are bound together by our unique history, culture, economy and no one can separate them," Prachanda said.
Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, organised a nearly six-month-long violent protest over the newly promulgated Constitution which they said discriminated against them.
They withdrew the protest that crippled essential supplies to the Himalayan nation and left over 50 dead, after the Constitution was amended to include their participation in government institution in proportion to their population and fresh delineation of electoral constituencies.
Nepal had accused India of imposing the "economic blockade", which India denied.
Other than Koshiary, the convention was also attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and general secretary of Socialist International Luis Ayala.
"India wants to see a prosperous and strong Nepal. I want to see Nepal to be connected with India through railway line very soon," Koshiary said.
