Gaighat, July 18:

CPN-Maoist central leader and eastern command in-charge Rama Bahadur Thapa aka Badal today said that unless the parliament declared the nation a republic the formation of a constituent assembly (CA) was difficult.

In a press meet held here at the Maoist party office, Badal said, “Monarchy is the main hurdle for the constituent assembly. Unless it is abolished and the parliament declared the nation a republic, formation of the CA is unlikely.”

He added that his party would step up pressure in the parliament to declare the country a republic.