Bhairahawa, December 11:

National integrity is at risk due to the recent political development in the country, former prime minister and senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said today.

He said this while talking to the party cadres and journalists after completion of his week-long visit to the five districts of Lumbini zone — Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu, Gulmi, Palpa and Rupandehi. He also urged party cadres to be serious towards nationalism.

He also urged everyone not to panic due to the resignations by a minister, few parliamentarians and other persons demanding autonomous Madhes state.

“Seven parties do not have the right to announce republic from the parliament. This decision must be taken through peoples’ mandate,” Deuba said adding that the Maoist demand for a fully proportionate representation system in the constituent assembly election would only create division in the country.

“The interim parliament should not oust the king; the seven parties don’t have such rights. Only people can exercise such rights,” he said. When asked about the change of the guard in the government, he said, “I want the power of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala be strengthened. Changing the government is impossible in the present context.”

When asked about the recent statement by Maoist chief Prachanda on nationalists surrounding the monarchy, Deuba said that the Maoists might have secret relation with the monarchy. Prachanda’s statement helps to support the theory that the royalists used the Maoists to fulfil their goals goals in the past.

NC central members Prakash Saran Mahat, Deep Kumar Upadhayay, NP Saud and Bal Krishna Khand among others also spoke on the occasion.