Nuwakot, January 19:

Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat today said monarchy has virtually ended in the country.

He said this while inaugurating the regional meeting of Nuwakot unit of the Nepal Teachers’ Association, at Sundara Secondary School in Satbise. “The monarchy on the death bed. And what logic is there to form a front against it?”, Dr Mahat said, adding that that Nepali Congress would not be a part of the republican front.

Monarchy came to an end because of the King’s desire to become a ruler, he added.

On pro-Maoist student bodie’s attempt to show him black flags, Dr Mahat said it is unwise on the part of the student activists to resort to such activities to disrespect people with different opinion when the conflict has come to an end and the age of reconciliation has begun. Five Maoist affiliated students had attempted to show black flags to Dr Mahat when he was approaching the programme venue.

Stating that the conflict in the past has caused the nation a big loss, he said a wave of development activities has re-emerged after the restoration of peace. Nuwakot NTU president Rameshwor Upreti, president of Nepal Teachers’ Association Hiraram Pandey and others expressed their views.