Kathmandu, July 20:

Leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC), during the central committee meeting of the party held at the party office today, discussed at length the future of monarchy. NC vice-president Shushil Koirala chaired the meeting as prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala could not attend the meeting on health grounds.

The meeting was held to discuss the party’s draft of an interim constitution, which is to be presented to the Interim Constitution Draft Commission. The meeting is to resume tomorrow and is expected to pass the draft with some amendments.

“The leaders held a long discussion on the third part of the draft, which deals with the position of the king. While some said it is not necessary to mention the position of the king as the party has decided to scrap monarchy in its convention, others said a referendum should be held to decide the future of monarchy,” said a party leader.

According to NC leader Binaya Dhwaj Chand, the five-page document, which is divided into eight parts, dwells on sovereignty, fundamental rights, monarchy, and the formation of constitutional bodies, army, and the electoral process.

The miscellaneous part deals with issues like citizenship, political parties, and referendum.