Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 27:

CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal today asked the King to give up politics as autocratic monarchy and democracy cannot go together and lead the country towards prosperity.

“History is witness to the fact that autocratic monarchy and democracy cannot go together. The contradiction between autocracy and democracy has plagued the nation for centuries,” Nepal said at a programme organised by the All-Nepal National Free Students’ Union to felicitate SLC toppers of the year 2061 BS and seven students who stood first in their respective faculties at the intermediate level.

He also came down heavily on a religious section which, he said, was encouraging the King to remain above the Constitution. Citing the French Revolution, he said Louis XIV had also said “I am the State” but monarchy was brought down due to its contradiction with the people’s desire for democracy.

Meanwhile, addressing a programme organised by the Reporters’ Club today, leaders of the seven-party alliance said the alliance would always be ready to hold dialogue with the Palace and the Maoists, provided the dialogue focused on bringing democratic process back on track and the Maoists on the mainstream.

“Democracy must be the focal point of dialogue between the King, Maoists and the parties,” said NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC. Dr Narayan Khadka, central leader of the NC (D), said nobody could predict the future of monarchy if it undermined the movement led by the alliance.