Surkhet, May 20:

Senior Maoist leader Chandra Prakash Gajurel today said a republic an set-up should be announced early to ensure that the constituent assembly (CA) poll is held.

He was speaking at a press conference organised by the Surkhet chapter of Revolutionary Journalists Association here.

Stating that the Maoists have two options to give an outlet to the present problems in the country, Gajurel said: “One is holding the CA election after the parliament declares the country a republic. The second is the declaration of a republic from the streets. We are, however, trying to ensure that the first option is chosen.”

While all leftist parties agree that the parliament should declare the country a republic, the Congress (NC) is maintaining silence on the matter. “The NC will be blamed if the state is not declared a republic,” he said.