India did not misread situation in Nepal: Mukherjee

India did not misread the situation in Nepal where the Maoists romped to a surprise victory in the recent elections to the Constituent Assembly.

Updated on: Apr 18, 2008, 15:30:06 IST

PTI | By HT Correspondent, New Delhi

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India on Friday said it did not misread the situation in Nepal, where the Maoists romped to a surprise victory in the recent elections to the Constituent Assembly.

"No question of misreading," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said pointing out that India wanted to have a multi-party democratic system in Nepal.

"We requested the Maoists to join the multi-party democratic political system in Nepal and join the mainstream by giving up violence. They have done so," he told reporters on the sidelines of the India-Arab Investment Projects Conclave here.

Mukherjee said the people of Nepal have voted a new Constituent Assembly which will now frame a Constitution.

Asked whether he was open to the idea of giving political asylum to the King of Nepal, Mukherjee shot back "I do not know whether anybody has sought any asylum. It is a hypothetical question."

The Maoists, who are set to lead a new coalition goverment in Nepal, have said the 240-year-old monarchy will be abolished within a month.

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