Siraha, June 20 :

Minister of State for Forest and Soil Conservation, Gopal Rai, today said date for the elections to a constituent assembly depends on the Maoist activities.

Addressing a press meet in Siraha, he said: “Constituent assembly elections will be held according to the implementation of the agreement reached between the government and the Maoists in different times.” Commenting on the King’s ceremonial role, the minister said a ceremonial King is better than autocratic republic.

Urging the Maoists to pave way for elections to a constituent assembly, he said: “There is no need of two armies after the Maoists’ involvement in an interim government.”

He also said that the elections to the constituent assembly will be affected if the issue of the management of Maoists’ arms is not settled.

A report from Bara said Minister for Labour and Transport Management and member of the government talks team, Ramesh Lekhak, today urged the Maoists to sincerely abide by the 25-point ceasefire code of conduct.

Minister Lekhak was addressing a meeting of Nepali Congress-Democratic cadres in Kalaiya today. Stating that the nation’s first priority is peace and democracy, Lekhak said a constituent assembly would be formed through dialogues. Lekhak urged the NC cadres to be responsible towards the party. He also urged the Maoists to return the captured houses, land and other property immediately to their owners and also stop the forced donations.