China suggests Prachanda for a strong-center federal model

KATHMANDU: China has pitched in its concern over the growing political transition in Nepal with one of most powerful politician- UCPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. During his meeting with key Chinese politicians that included President Xi Jinping, he was asked to deploy measures to stabilize politics at the earliest among other issues.

Prachanda said that he found Chinese government concerned about the extending political transition in the country while adding that the issue dominated his 15 minutes dialogue with President Xi Jinping while talking to journalist in Kathmandu after returning from China on Saturday night.

Jinping while inquiring about the latest measures taken by Nepalese political parties to hold CA elections, had specially stressed on the need to end transition so that Nepal could move ahead economically. Though President Jinping was not reported to have shown any particular interest in the CPN Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya and other dissenting parties who have declined to participate in the proposed CA elections, lower rung of Chinese leaders did inquire about the confrontation between major political parties and CPN Maoist led group of 31 dissenting political partites, Prachanda said.

He said that he assuaged the Chinese concerns about the dissenting parties and about the repercussions stemming from the demand for ethnic federal states. While not elaborating on the nature of federalism that he assured to the Chinese leaders, Prachanda informed that the Chinese laid stress on forming a federal Nepal that has a powerful and stabilized central federal government system.

Maintaining cordial relationship with India and moving ahead jointly on issues of regional importance also were reported to be major discussions during the meetings. Prachanda said that the Chinese were keen on working closely with India to implement the 10MW Chisapani- Karnal Hydropower project and Lumbini Development Zone project.

Stating that economic development should be Nepal’s priority, Prachanda said that China has expressed more willingness of cooperating with the Indian side on many fronts in Nepal and in the region. He said that China has substantial amount of investments in India too and claimed that Chinese suggested Nepali politicians should also move ahead by working in close ties with both of its neighbor.