Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 8:

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chairman, Pashupati SJB Rana, today reiterated on collective efforts of the King and the political parties to end the prevailing confusion. Rana, who has been constantly advocating a broader national consensus to put an end to the prevailing impasse, conceded that his party has initiated dialogue with other political forces “in all ranks.” “Talks to forge a common consensus among the democratic forces have been initiated,” he informed while chatting with a group of reporters after a programme organised by the party at its office in Kupandole on the occasion of International Women’s Day today.

Earlier, speaking at the programme, Rana had emphasised on the need to “activate the democratic process” to pave the way for forging a consensus, which he argued would help strengthen the constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy. “The King and the parties must forge a consensus,” said Rana. “The RPP will not move an inch away from its stance of constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy,” he said. The RPP strongman urged the government to release all the political leaders, journalists and human right activists and asked them to comply with the King’s commitment towards free press and democratic norms and values. He also demanded reservation for women in education and government service.

Meanwhile, party spokesperson, Roshan Karki, said her party believed in dialogue to end the impasse. “We have a profound respect for constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy

and the party cannot go beyond that.” Joint-general secretary, Khem Raj Pandit, too, said that his party wants the King and the political forces to initiate a dialogue to reach a common agenda.