PM Bhattarai talks of 'growing foreign meddling'; expresses dissatisfaction at BJP leader's trip at Shital Niwas invitation

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has admitted to have witnessed increased foreign intervention in Nepal's internal affairs.

PM Baburam Bhattarai

Speaking to a group of journalists at his Baluwatar residence Friday evening, Bhattarai said, "You already know about the regional and international dynamics. It is not easy to get things done the way one would like."

Bhattarai also objected to Chinese leader Ai Ping's recent remarks that federalism based on ethnic identity would not be favourable for Nepal.

"The neighbors have already spoken about federalism," Kantipur daily quoted him as saying, "What happened in the appointment of chief secretary is also known to all. But I maintained by stance."

PM Bhattarai also revealed that Yaswant Sinha, a leader of India's main opposition, BJP, was in Kathmandu this week at the invitation of President Ram Baran Yadav and expressed dissatisfaction over the undermining of diplomatic protocol by Shital Niwas.

"To invite a foreign delegate in that manner is uncalled for," he said, claiming that the visit of the BJP leader was not transparent. Sinha had also met Bhattarai and other senior leaders.

Asked about the revelation by Indian professor SD Muni in his newly published book that the Maoist leadership had written a letter during the insurgency promising not to work against Indian interests in Nepal, PM Bhattarai admitted to have sent the letter, through Muni, to the then Indian government's security advisor Brajesh Mishra.

"We wrote letters to United Nations and the governments of different countries including the neighbors to clarify our position. The letter to the Indian prime minister was the similar one" he said, adding, "The letters to the UN, China and India was later published in our mouthpiece, The Worker."

He added, "I do not think views of the Indian scholar are justifiable," he said. nepalnews.com