Sitaula in India on 'pilgrimage' Kantipur Report KATHMANDU, July 18 - Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula Monday morning left for India suddenly on a three-day "religious" visit. Confirming Sitaula's visit to India, Home Secretary Umesh Mainali said the visit is for a "pilgrimage". He left Kathmandu at 10:30 a.m. Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has been designated by the prime minister to look after the Home Ministry during Sitaula's absence. Sources close to Sitaula said he left the country via Jogbani on the border, and is heading for Ranchi or Jharkhand to pay homage to a saint named "Thakur Baba". Tara Pokhrel, charge d'affaires at the Nepalese embassy in New Delhi, said he was not aware of the home minister's visit to India. Considering the seriousness of the various national issues back home, many have felt that the sudden visit by the home minister, who is also chief of the government dialogue team for negotiating with the Maoists, may not be for mere pilgrimage. "When there are a number of crucial issues waiting to be resolved in the country, the home minister's visit may not be a mere pilgrimage," said Hari Roka, a political columnist. In the morning, Sitaula had cancelled his pre-scheduled meeting with the European parliament delegation currently visiting Nepal. Posted on: 2006-07-17 21:19:17 (Server Time)