Oli brushes aside reports of ‘non-cooperation’ from India to Nepal’s Left govt

Nepal’s prime minister-in-waiting K P Sharma Oli on Sunday blamed a section of the Indian media for creating rift with reports of Indian government not cooperating with the Left alliance, which swept the recently-concluded federal and provincial elections.

In his first press conference since the victory, the leader of the Left Alliance urged critics to look into India’s official statement on the elections and to stop making false stories saying New Delhi will not cooperate with the new government.

Some elements are trying to create rift between India and the Left alliance, the CPN-UML chairman said, “the same elements are trying to stop foreign investment in Nepal, propping up the fear of communist regime.”

“India has already welcomed the elections, victory of left alliance and congratulated us. India also assured to support us but some Indian media are trying to create rift between us,” said Oli, who addressed the media along with alliance partner CPN (Maoist Center)’s chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘ Prachanda’.

The communists, who won majority in both federal and provincial parliaments, will form governments in the centre and in at least six out of seven provinces.

On December 14, external affairs ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar had said India welcomed the elections in Nepal.

“We congratulate the government and the people of Nepal. India has age old unique, time tested ties of friendship with the country. We look forward to working with the next democratically elected government in Nepal to advance our close and multifaceted partnership across all sectors and to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability, economic prosperity and all round development,” the spokesperson had said.

While quoting the Indian statement, Oli said some people are running behind “foreign policy” and saying that India would pursue “policy of non-cooperation” to the incoming government.

“We will pursue independent foreign policy and will maintain good relations with neighbours as well as donor agencies which is also clearly mentioned in our manifesto,” he added.

Referring to the hue and cry about the possible flight of capital after leftist government takes power, Oli urged critics to wait for at least three months.

After the infamous blockade in Nepal-India border in 2015 September, Oli emerged as a vocal critic of New Delhi’s policy towards Nepal while shifting focus to Beijing and seeking various projects including transit facilities.

Oli has since been labelled as pro-China.

Nepal, surrounded by India on three sides, has been dependent on Indian ports for transit facilities.

At the press conference, Prachanda did not mention anything about the foreign policy to be opted by the next government.

Both leaders urged Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to resign and pave the way for them to form the new government at the earliest.

Due to dispute over the composition of the Upper House among the political parties, it is still not clear when Deuba will hand over the reins.