President’s visit
The Himalayan Times
20 April 2017
President’s
visit
President
Bidhya Devi Bhandari began her five-day state visit to India on the invitation
of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee (“President
begins India visit” April 18, Page 1). Her earlier visit was postponed at
the eleventh hour due to unfavourable political environment in Nepal. This
state visit is seen by the political experts as an important event in the
continuation of high level engagement between the political leaderships of the
two countries and will contribute to further consolidate close and friendly
relations that exist between Nepal and India.
Anyway,
it is hoped that her state visit will help in removing any political
misunderstanding between the political leaders of the two countries. This visit
has taken place at a time when the ruling parties and UML-led opposition
parties are trying to hold the local level election on 14 May. On the other
hand, the UDMF is set to thwart the elections, if the constitution is not amended
as per its demands. Even the recent amendment bill put forward by the
government has been flatly rejected by the Madhesi parties. The Indian
government continues to suggest that the Madhes based parties should also be
brought on board to participate in the elections. It was not known why the
ruling parties did not consult with the agitating parties and get their consent
before registering the recent amendment bill.
Time
is running fast for the ruling parties to hold the local level election on the
scheduled date. Looking closely at the ongoing political situation, it does not
seem that the local level elections will be held peacefully.
Rai Biren
Bangdel
Maharjgunj,
Kathmandu
