Modi’s Janakpur visit cancelled

Modi’s Janakpur visit cancelled

KATHMANDU: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his visit to Janakpur, Lumbini and Mustang after UCPN-Maoist and a section of Madhesi parties protested against his scheduled programmes in Janakpur.
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bimalendra Nidhi, who was assigned to welcome Modi at Janakpur, confirmed that Indian Embassy in Kathmandu conveyed the cancellation of PM Modi’s planned visit to Janakpur to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after “irresponsible acts” of UCPN-M and some Madhesi parties.

Nidhi didn’t say anything about the cancellation of his visits to Lumbini and Mustang. But sources quoting Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, however, said, “PM Modi will only attend SAARC Summit, as he has been out of the country for long and has other engagements within his country.”

“Janakpur visit is not being cancelled because of security concerns or lack of security on our part,” sources at the foreign ministry quoted Minister Pandey as saying.

However, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian Embassy in Kathmandu didn’t officially confirm the cancellation of Modi’s visit to places outside the Kathmandu Valley. Talking to THT, Abhay Kumar, spokesman for Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, said, “We have no official confirmation about any changes regarding PM Modi’s planned programmes in Nepal.”

Political parties were at odds regarding the possible venue for Modi’s reception. After the government decided to organise civic felicitation for Modi on the premises of Janaki temple, 22-party alliance led by UCPN-Maoist started pressing to hold the programme at the nearby Bahra Bigaha area.

Nidhi said “irresponsible activities” by UCPN-M and Madhesi parties against preparation for Modi’s visit led to the fiasco at the last moment.

He, however, didn’t identify which Madhesi parties were against Modi’s scheduled programmes in Janakpur.

Modi was supposed to arrive in Janakpur via Bihar, offer a special prayer at Janaki temple and receive a civic felicitation from the locals on November 25. He was also supposed to visit Mustang and Lumbini on November 28.

It is now uncertain whether Modi will return home immediately after the conclusion of SAARC Summit on November 27 or remain another day in Kathmandu.

Issuing a strongly-worded statement, Nidhi said UCPN-Maoist-led parties protested against Modi’s programmes at the District Administration Office in Dhanusha and threatened to erect another stage near the Indian prime minister’s supposed programme venue and breach his security cordon even after the finalisation of his civic felicitation at Janaki temple.

He said the parties went against diplomatic practices by submitting a memorandum at the Office of Indian Consulate General in Birgunj against Modi’s programmes. He said it only created tension.

An emergency meeting between Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Foreign Minister Pandey was held this evening after the Indian side conveyed to Nepali government that Modi would not visit any of the three holy places. Indian side said Modi would visit these places at a convenient time in future.

Contributed by:LEKHANATH PANDEY, For: The Himalayan Times.

 

About The Author

Leave a reply

hotel deals in kathmandu

Kathmandu Directory

Kathmandu Real Estate

Kathmandu Jobs

Instagram #kathmandu

Flickr #kathmandu