By all indications, there is consensus among the key players in Nepal on this plan. Yechury also spoke to Union Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the seniormost minister in the Prime Minister’s absence, on his plan and the talks with the Nepalese political leadership.

On Saturday, Indian envoy Shiv Shankar Mukherjee met King Gyanendra. The message conveyed by New Delhi was that he use Article 127, that gives him the power to issue any order to remove difficulties in the implementation of the constitution. This had earlier been conveyed by Special Envoy Karan Singh as well. But the king has maintained that the matter is sub judice, as a petition against the reinstatement of the Nepalese parliament is before an 11-judge bench.

With the street protests swelling, there is anxiety that a solution is found at the earliest. During Karan Singh’s visit, the message from New Delhi was that once a government was formed in Nepal, India would resume all aid and give a comprehensive package for the restoration of the economy. Sources said that if the new government were to make a request for arms supplies, New Delhi would be in a position to give ‘‘positive consideration’’ to the request.

However, India is keen to assert that it is not interfering in Nepal. In Hanover, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters, ‘‘Our role is to ensure that all elements of Nepalese polity are talking to each other. We are not dictating anything and our role is of a conciliator.’’ That position also got the support from the US and the UK who want India to play a leading role in the Nepalese development.

... contd.