Biratnagar, May 13:

Participants at a programme today urged the House of Representatives to set a date for elections to a constituent assembly without further delay to end the present political dilemma.

Speaking at an interaction on ‘Challenges after the success of peoples’ movement and constituent assembly’, organised here by Nepal Tarun Dal, Morang, human rights activist Krishna Pahadi said, “Janaandolan has proved the supremacy of peoples’ intellect, so declaration of constituent assembly is compulsory for people’s basic freedoms, human rights and multi-party system.” He added that only a constituent assembly could settle the political dilemma.

Stating that Maoists must realise that a democratic republic can be possible only with the help of peoples’ vote and not through violence, Pahadi said, “the responsibility of building a new Nepal has now come upon the shoulders of the Nepalis. Now Nepalis themselves will decide the fate of monarchy in the nation.”

Student leader Gagan Thapa urged the government to announce a constituent assembly immediately through a grand political convention instead of lingering on issues like interim regime and amendment of constitution.

Thapa urged the government to keep in mind three things — transforming the royal army into a national army, Maoists laying down arms and dialogue with Maoists — before announcing a constituent assembly.

Stating that a constituent assembly must be unconditional, Thapa said the Nepali Congress must lead the entire process of declaring an unconditional constituent assembly and added that it should now never repeat the mistake of supporting constitutional monarchy. Thapa claimed that monarchy has been the sole obstacle for the past 250 years in the overall development of Nepal.

President of NC, Morang, Amrit Aryal, NC leader Ashok Koirala and central vice-chairman of Nepal Tarun Dal, Hurmat Kumar Neupane, said a constitu-ent assembly can provide a way out of the Maoist problem, restore peace and build a new Nepal. The speakers of the programme also welcomed action initiated against those suppressing the peoples’ movement.