Kathmandu, April 16:

Leaders of the various political parties today said that there was no alternative to supporting the ongoing demonstration for the restoration of democracy in Nepal.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP), both constituted with former Panchayat era leaders, today showed support for the movement. Nepali Congress central member Dr Ram Baran Yadav said that the present movement has urged the King to take a historic decision. He said if the King does not take a decision immediately, it will be difficult for him to control pressure of the movement and settle the situation.

Standing committee member of the CPN-UML KP Oli said that even Maoists can join the ongoing demonstration for the restoration of democracy, provided they agree to come to the streets without arms. “Maoists are here in the movement. We can’t stop anybody from participating in the movement. But they must agree to make it peaceful,” he said.

He urged the RPP and RJP to come to the streets, as both the parties have shown their dissatisfaction with the present regime.

“There is no room for those who claim to be neutral at this moment. One just cannot remain neutral. I request both the RPP and RJP to give up their old aristocratic characteristics and take part in the movement,” he said. Oli ruled out any possibility of compromise except on the issue of supremacy of the rights of the people. RPP co-chairman Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani said that his party is totally against what the King and the government are doing with the demonstrations.

“Nepal’s foreign policy is blurred; economic, social and political situations have deteriorated. And security personnel are brutally attacking peaceful demonstrators, journalists, lawyers, artists, doctors and students. This only defames Nepal’s image in the international arena,” he said.

He said he would think about joining the seven-party alliance. Lohani proposed a four-point solution to the King - that the present government should be dismissed, all arrested demonstrators should be freed, the dead and injured demonstrators be compensated and King should call the parties for talks.

Khem Raj Pandit, assistant general secretary of the RPP, said that the present situation has compelled the party to take to the street. He said that only an interim government, which also includes Maoists, can solve the present crisis. “We are making preparations to join the agitation,” he said.

He added that the RPP has always been in support of democracy, but some persons like Kamal Thapa have misused party’s zeal for vested interests.