Dang, February 26:

CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda said today that the constituent assembly election might not be possible by mid-June, “as pro-palace and foreign forces are conspiring” against it.

“We can’t be confident that the polls will be held,” he said addressing a mass meeting organised by the party at Ghorahi, the headquarters of Dang. The Maoist supremo reiterated that his party would press the House to declare Nepal a democratic republic. “NC, UML and our strength constitute two-thirds majority in the House. Monarchy can be abolished and federal democratic republic declared if these forces get united and the country can be a republic in just two hours,” he said.

He accused the pro-palace forces of leading the country towards communal violence.

NC has own agenda: Sushil Koirala

POKHARA: Nepali Congress vice-president Sushil Koirala on Monday said his party would not go to the constituent assembly polls with a republic slogan as its agenda. It will instead tout its own agenda, he said. Speaking at a programme here in which the suspension of the 3rd central convention of Nepal Dalit Association (NDA) was announced, he said, “NC will promote its own agenda.”

“Sovereign people will decide the future of the monarchy in the constituent assembly polls,” he said. The NDA meet scheduled to be held for two days from Monday was postponed. — HNS