Janakpurdham, Sept 21:

CPN-UML senior leader Bam Dev Gautam today said the king should not be accorded any place as the people want a republic.

Speaking during a programme at Ramananda Chowk here, Gautam said the Jana Andolan-II itself signified the people’s verdict for a democratic republic. “The monarchy should be wiped out, just like a broom wipes away dirt,” he said.

“It is the nation’s dirt that needs attention the most,” he said.

Stating that no concrete steps have yet been taken to bring the Madhesi community to the national mainstream, he said it was regrettable that the Madhesis who are part of the country’s population have been denied citizenship.