Confirming that he had on Monday received an official communication from the Government of Nepal stating that he was relieved of his diplomatic responsibilities, former Nepal Ambassador to India Deep Upadhyay on Tuesday said it is the government's prerogative as he was appointed by the previous regime, adding the new dispensation has its own priorities and thinking.
"I was appointed by the previous government. Now, there is a new government, they have their own priorities and thinking. This is a prerogative of the government. There was of course a misunderstanding; if I would have been told earlier and was given some time, I would have left gleefully. The delay happened because I wanted to ease off the problems faced by people and improve the bilateral ties between the two nations, but I am happy," Upadhyay told ANI.
When asked if he was removed because the Nepali Congress refused to support the government of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, he said: "No, I was definitely appointed by the previous government, but I am in political and social domain for the past 40-45 years. They are my friends. Only thing is that there should be no differences in the relationships between the two nations."
He added that today Nepal's agendas are peace, stability and economic progress in which India's support is very important.
As per reports, Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba on his return to Kathmandu after a week-long visit to New Delhi promised his party's support to a new coalition to be led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda, leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
When asked that the Oli government wanted the Nepali Congress to support them rather than supporting Prachanda, Upadhyay said, "As long as I am in India, I would not like to violate the diplomatic parameter. I would just say that there is a hung Parliament in Nepal and it is up to the leaders and parties to decide what kind of composition and what kind of coalition they want to make. It is their decision and any person or country interfering into that is wrong."
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Speaking about the growing anti-India sentiment in Nepal, he said, "Some mistakes took place in the past. The way the Government of India and the Indian people extended their support the quake-hit Nepal, like a family, is incomparable to any other country. It is an example in itself. India was first and it is first."
"After a couple of visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and around five visits of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Nepal, the relationship was strengthened. But after the formation of the new Constitution, some misunderstanding was created. I would say the condition would have not deteriorated had we have shown the same kind of thinking, understanding and tolerance that we are showing today," he said, while explaining the reason behind the deteriorating relationship between India and Nepal.
Responding to a poser about India's assertion that the Terai and Madhesh people should not be deprived of their rights, Upadhyay said, "Following growing resentment and domestic problems, two amendments were introduced in Parliament, which accepted that democracy is a corrective system. Two amendments were made immediately and there would be further amendments as per requirements and people's demand. But for making amendment, two-third majority is a must in our Parliament.
"It is not a gambling spot where victory or loss will happen. It is an evolutionary and engagement process that you have to follow. It will not happen at the moment. When elections come, we will have to increase the strength in Parliament or will have to go by consensus among parties."
The former envoy, however, downplayed a poser that the Communist Party was perhaps aware of the fact that Prachanda's ambition would destablise the government, he said: "Being an Ambassador, it would not be fair for him to make a comment on any leader. I would just that even the leaders have to follow the party's decision in a democracy. The composition is important in Parliament, and the decision taken by the leaders will be final."
The political crisis in the Himalayan nation escalated on Friday as Kathmandu recalled Upadhyay hours after cancelling President Bidhya Devi Bhandari's visit to the Simhastha Kumbh at Ujjain.
As per reports, the decision was taken after a Cabinet meeting during which his role in the latest political crisis came under criticism.