Pokhara, November 30:

The House of Representatives can declare the state a republic if the eight political parties wish so, Speaker Subas Nembang said today.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Press Chautari here, he said the current House of Representative, which is revolutionary in nature, can announce establishment of a republican set up in the country if the eight political parties agree to it.

“The eight political parties have eight different opinions and this is delaying the process of the constituent assembly polls,” he said.

Discussions on drafting an interim constitution are going on and it will soon be ready, Nembang said, adding that an interim legislative will be formed after the promulgation of an interim statute. “An interim government — with participation of eight political parties — will be formed then,” he said.

On the replacement of the Speaker in the interim legislation, Nembang said the interim legislation will run on a consensus and everyone will agree with the decision.

He also said that the high-level probe commission report will be made public soon, and that the persons accused in the report will be punished.

Earlier, he laid the foundation stone for the construction of a statue of martyr Bhimsen Dahal.

On the occasion, he said a political system, as desired by the people, will be realised only after holding constituent assembly elections. He also claimed that talks between the government and the Maoists succeeded due to the HoR, which decided to go for constituent assembly polls.