E-Kantipur

NEW DELHI, AUG 29 - The election of Baburam Bhattarai as the 35th Prime Minister of Nepal has generated much euphoria and hope, as is evident in Nepal, and also here in the Indian capital. The response in New Delhi has been seen "unprecedented" to Nepal's prime ministerial election.

From scholars at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where Bhattarai completed his doctorate, to the Indian government, think tanks and politicians, all have 'very high hopes' for the successful completion of the peace process and statute writing. Unlike his predecessor Jhala Nath Khanal, Bhattarai received an immediate message of welcome from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, where he invited the newly elected PM to New Delhi. Khanal, elected PM in February, never received such an invitation.

"It (Bhattarai's election) is a very positive development. It has raised hopes of political stability in Nepal, given that the largest force is now on board and also because of Bhattarai's personal image," said Ashok Behuria, an expert on South Asian issues at Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA), an Indian government-funded think tank.

Government sources have indicated that New Delhi will extend "all sorts of assistance' to complete the task of consolidating democratic gains in Nepal, as expressed by Prime Minister Singh in his congratulatory message to Bhattarai on Sunday. "While analyzing the political upheavals over the last few years, India has realized that without bringing Maoists on board, the stalled political process cannot move ahead," said a source who didn't want to be identified.

A well known Indian professor SD Muni has tweeted, "India has done a wise thing to let Bhattarai sail through in the PM election with the support of Madhes groups. Nepal's stability depends on Maoists. Bhattarai's victory in Nepal is a turning point. His first priority should be to implement the Maoist promise on integration of the PLA cadre."

"Bhattarai's election has clearly indicated India's neutral role during the recent political development. It has helped India improve its so-called interventionist image," said a senior leader of the ruling coalition.

Indian media have given unprecedented coverage to Bhattarai's victory, with newspapers treating his election on their front pages.

"JNU scholar becomes Nepal's new Maoist PM," said the Times of India, "….Though a moderate who has advocated maintaining friendly relations with India and focusing on peace instead of beginning yet another armed revolution, Bhattarai will also have to work hard to assure India that his government will not be hostile to the southern neighbour."

JNU upbeat

Meanwhile, JNU faculties and student bodies are ecstatic. "It has been a moment of extreme joy to learn that a friend of mine has now become prime minister," said Professor Kamal Mitra Chinoy, Chairperson of Department of International Relations at JNU. He recalled Bhattarai as an exceptionally good student with rare determination.

"Not just Nepali but also other foreign students at JNU have shared their happiness that the alumnus of this campus is elected to the highest post of a nation," said Pramod Jaiswal, a Nepali student.The students have filled their Facebook and Twitter accounts with comments related to Bhattarai's victory.

Posted on: 2011-08-29 11:59

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.