Surkhet, February 20:

Nepali Congress- Democratic (NC-D) president and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said the king himself has chosen the path for his downfall.

Speaking at a press conference organised in Surkhet today, Deuba said: “There will be no agenda of monarchy in constituent assembly (CA), monarchy would end before CA.”

Saying that the king indirectly attacked him in the message delivered on the occasion of Democracy Day, Deuba said:

“Though the king sacked me saying I could not hold polls, he himself could not hold the election.”

Deuba said the Maoists are still involved in activities like forceful collection of donation, threatening civilians and not returning the seized lands.

He further said, “The Maoists have to improve their conduct and the elections to the constituent assembly will be held at any rate.” Asked about unification of both Congresses,

Deuba hinted that the unification could take place before the CA elections.

Palace conspiring: Prachanda

JANAKPURDHAM: CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda has alleged that the palace is conspiring to disrupt the peace process for creating instability in the country again. “The palace had stepped up its moves to disrupt peace process well before Dashain. But our perseverance foiled its scheme,” Prachanda said. Speaking at a mass meet jointly organised by CPN (Maoist)’s Mithila regional bureau and Janakpur-Sagarmatha regional bureau here on Tuesday, he said some high officials in Nepal Army are conniving to break the peace process. Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the Madhesi people were enraged at the Maoists for failing to understand Maoist policies and planning. — HNS