Indian political leaders and officials have said the Nepal government’s decision to announce the date of local elections is a positive move but there was a need to address the demands of the Madhes-based parties alongside the poll preparations.

Speaking to the Post, they expressed their hope that the constitution amendment bill tabled in Parliament would move for further process soon. 

They are of the view that addressing the demands of the Madhes-based parties would make the election process easy. However, India has not officially reacted to the government’s decision to announce the polls.

“The announcement of the election date will further consolidate the democratic process in Nepal,” said Tarun Vijaya, a senior leader of the ruling Bharitaya Janata Party considered close to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “As far as the demands of Madhesi parties are concerned, we believe that it is a matter for the Nepal government to deal with,” he said.

Indian officials say they have no prescription for the poll process in Nepal. However, they said it could be difficult to hold the local polls without addressing the demands of the Madhes-based parties through constitution amendment. Of late, Indian officials are refraining from commenting on the political developments in Nepal. When the government registered a constitution amendment bill in Parliament in November last year, India had termed it an important step.

Nepal’s Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay said the Indian side says election is the internal affair of Nepal. “They are of the view that Nepali leaders are capable of making their own decisions,” he told the Post.

According to sources, the Nepal government had informed New Delhi about its preparations for holding the polls. BC Upreti, a member of the Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group said there is the need for addressing the demands of various parties before the elections. “The Madhes-based parties have announced that they would not take part in the elections, which might create an additional problem. So it’s better to amend the constitution soon,” he told Post.