Kathmandu, July 24:

Narahari Acharya, known to set the political pace in the largely conservative NC, has decided to lead a publicity campaign aimed at drumming up support for a republican order among masses.

This is significant since the NC leadership has sent indications it may canvass for a ceremonial monarchy during a constituent assembly election.

Acharya is backed in his drive by intellectuals like Krishna Khanal, student leaders Chandra Bhandari and Gagan Thapa. They will meet in the third week of every month till the CA election to assess the progress of the campaign.

Acharya, in a paper made public today, said: “It is wrong to assume that going for a republic could be a Communist agenda alone. Republican order was reported in ancient Greece. Even we had the republican order, prior to 750 BC.”