Not Against India, Will Forget Old Disputes, Says Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to Indian TV channel

New Delhi: A day after CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” was appointed as Nepal’s new Prime Minister by President Bidya Devi Bhandari, the newly appointed Prime Minister vowed to strengthen Nepal’s relations with India in an exclusive interview with ABP News. “We want good relations with India,” he said. “I am not against India, will forget the old disputes and move forward,” said Prachanda.

“According to the mandate given, the government has been formed in the country. The public wanted everyone to work together, and that’s why they formed the government together. Our government will complete its term. Work will be done according to the constitution,” said PM Prachanda while talking to senior news anchor Dibang.

According to a statement released by the President’s Office, Prachanda has been appointed Prime Minister of Nepal in accordance with Article 76, Clause 2 of the Constitution. For the third time, Prachanda has been appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister.

In accordance with Article 76, clause 2, of the Constitution, the President had invited any member of the House of Representatives who could win a majority with support from two or more parties to apply for the position of Prime Minister.

Prachanda said, “the Ambassador of India congratulated me first on being elected as the PM. After that, PM Narendra Modi tweeted his best wishes and talked about further strengthening the relations between India and Nepal. PM Modi is the first Prime Minister who congratulated me.”

“When I went to India last time, even then there was talk about strengthening the relations between our two countries. Both countries want good relations with each other. We will work together with India,” he further added.

Prachand also reacted on the dispute regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi and said, “if there is any problem, it will be resolved through talks. In the past too, problems have been resolved through dialogue. We will work together with all neighboring friendly countries including India.”

Nepali Congress is the biggest party with 89 seats in the Place of Delegates while CPN-UML and CPN-MC have 78 and 32 seats, separately.

The 138 seats needed to form a government in the 275-member House of Representatives are not held by any party.

CPN (Unified Socialist) holds 10 seats in the House, while Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) holds 4 seats, Rastriya Janamorcha holds 1 seat, and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party holds 1 seat.