Restoration of democracy in Nepal sought

A convention of major political parties, barring the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents, came together today to demand restoration of democracy in Nepal and condemn the "authoritarian" action of King Gyanendra in seizing power.

Leaders of NDA constituents like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (united) were conspicuous by their absence.

Janata Dal (Secular) leader Surendra Mohan, who is involved in mobilising support for political freedom in Nepal, said "we had called everybody."

BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, however, said "as far as the BJP is concerned, we were not invited."

A demand was also voiced at the convention that the government should make efforts to see that there was "full freedom" in Nepal.

Senior leaders and representatives of 17 parties, including the Congress, the CPI(M), the CPI, the Forward Bloc, the CPI(ML), the RSP, the Janata Dal (Secular), the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, the Samajwadi Janata Party and the Rashtriya Janta Dal, gathered under the banner of the Nepal Democracy Unity Committee (India) to express solidarity with people and democratic forces in Nepal in their struggle against the monarchy.

The convention passed a resolution demanding withdrawal of emergency in Nepal, immediate release of all political detainees and restoration of democracy, freedom of speech and the press.

It also asked the Indian government "not to take any step, which will give political legitimacy to the present authoritarian regime in Nepal."

Former Prime Ministers VP Singh and Chandrashekhar were also present at the convention, attended by representatives of several Nepalese political parties.