Date:16/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/16/stories/2008041660791200.htm

National

JD(U) welcomes Nepal verdict

Special Correspondent

Sharad Yadav

NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal (United) has welcomed the victory of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) in the elections to the Constituent Assembly, terming it a “historic development.”

Calling it a victory for the common man and the weaker sections of Nepal, the party said it was also a landmark as it had dealt a death blow to monarchy and family rule which was a bane of the South Asia region. “Family rule is a negation of democracy. But, unfortunately, South Asia has been beset with this evil. The election results in Nepal reverse this trend.” Congratulating the Maoists as well as the Seven Parties Alliance on their historic victory, the party expressed the hope that it would lead Nepal on the road of democracy, peace and stability.

Worked for justice

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, senior JD(U) leader and chairman of the Parliamentary Forum for Nepal-India Friendship Sharad Yadav said that whatever opinion one might have of the Maoists, one could not ignore that they worked for justice for the weaker sections and that they remained with them under all circumstances.

“The Maoists [in Nepal] first battled for the poor with bullets, but once they realised that the ballot is a better and surer way of serving them, they took to the ballot. The poor and weaker sections have responded by reposing faith in the Maoists in the most decisive manner.”

Asked about seat-sharing talks between the JD (U) and the Bharatiya Janata Party for the Assembly polls in Karnataka, Mr. Yadav said discussions between the two parties were continuing at the State level.