Biratnagar, October 26:

General secretary of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) and Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Hridesh Tripathi, told journalists here today that his party would root for a republic in the elections to a Constituent Assembly (CA).

Tripathi said the NSP(A) cannot afford to be an exception at a time when the entire nation is heading towards a republic.

Some forces are working to prevent CA elections from taking place, he warned.

He said the NSP(A) has no objection to different views of different parties. The unity of the seven-party alliance (SPA) will not be affected by the individual view of any person or a party, said Tripathi.

The unity of the alliance is strong, reiterated Tripathi, adding that the talks between the government and the Maoists are proceeding on a positive note.

The minister added that the government has taken the agitation of the industrialists seriously and it is working towards meeting their genuine demands.