Monday, January 9 2006 14:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Observing that 'marginalisation' of political parties would be detrimental for Nepal's future, India has said it does not agree with the view that the King is a player competing for power in the Kingdom.

India continues to believe that constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy are the twin pillars of Nepal, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shanker Mukherjee said in an interview to the private Kantipur Television channel yesterday (Jan 8,2006).

What we don't agree with is a monarchy that is a political player competing for power with political parties, Mukherjee said, "That role belongs to multi-party democracy, to the political parties and representatives elected by the people of Nepal."

"We think marginalisation of political parties will be detrimental in terms of challenges facing Nepal." It removes the buffer that existed between the monarchy and the Maoists, he added.

Replying to a question he said, India would be happy with the restoration of political process, with dialogue initiated by the King with the political parties aimed at bringing the constitutional forces back together and the Maoists back to the political mainstream.