Monday, April 24 2006 13:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In comments that could raise hackles in the Government, former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh today (Apr 24, 2006) accused it of letting the people of Nepal down and said its masterly inactivity" has not succeeded.

"We have let the people of Nepal down, lost the goodwill of the seven parties, earned the annoyance of the Maoists and received no kudos from King Gyanendra," Singh said in a statement here.

This is the first time Singh, who was relieved as External Affairs Minister five months back for his alleged involvement in the Iraq's oil-for-food scam, has come out with caustic comments against Government's policy on Nepal.

Singh, who was earlier in the forefront of giving a new dimension to Indo-Nepal ties, said "Our not so masterly inactivity (for months) in Nepal has not succeeded."

He said Karan Singh, who met the King in Kathmandu last week as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy, tried "but it was too late".

"What can India do now. Too much is at stake in geopolitical terms. We should be the leading player. Why are we not?" he asked.

Singh said the seven point formula suggested by CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury could be the base on which a coherent and concrete policy could firmly stand.

"The not so engaging linguistic incoherence of some Indian players will not do. We need calm self-awareness, strong nerves," he said.

Yechury has asked the Government to persuade King Gyanendra to restore Parliament to defuse the volatile situation in the neighbouring country.

The CPI-M leader cut short his political campaign in West Bengal and returned here to meet Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday during which he suggested that the Kingshould immediately restore Parliament which would establishthe constituent assembly through a resolution.

The constituent assembly, led by the Seven Party Alliance, would then chalk out the programme for general elections in Nepal, Left sources said.

Singh said the King should should take a page out of the democratic book of the Bhutan King. "The skill and forethought His Majesty the King of Bhutan has shown is praiseworthy. He has understood the temper of the times and responded with wisdom".

He asked the Prime Minister on his return from Uzbekistan to immediately call a meeting of leaders of all political parties to carve out a national consensus on Nepal.