Pokhara, May 3:

Minister for Local Development Dev Gurung today said that republicanism, loktantra and nationality should be made the triple base for a new unity among the eight political parties. Saying that the eight parties should not keep waiting for constituent assembly polls, Gurung asserted that an alternative ought to be sought to give continuity to the unity of the eight parties that was based on the CA poll.

Speaking at a press meet organised by the Kaski chapter of the Krantikari Journalists’ Association (KJA) here, Minister Gurung said: “The main base of the 12-point agreement is the constituent assembly. However, as the idea of holding the CA polls has run into uncertainty, it is time to rethink about the agreement reached with the other parties.”

He claimed that the CA polls would not be possible as long as monarchy remained in the country. “A CA is impossible under the shadow of monarchy,” he added.

Asked if the Nepali Congress would agree to a republican set-up in the country, Gurung replied that if the NC failed to agree to the idea, there would be no option but to break the eight-party alliance.

He added that local agencies would be formed with the agreement of the eight parties soon.

He also urged journalists to remain alert as the feudal system had not ended yet in the nation. The remains of the autocratic forces can raise their heads again, he said.