Kathmandu, August 2 :

Central committee member of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Pradeep Giri and student leaders today said the NC (D) should opt for a republic.

Addressing a seminar on “Opinions of Political Parties on the Process of Constituent Assembly (CA)”, Giri said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s demand for a ceremonial king is against the aspirations of the people.

The Social and Sports Department of the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU) had organised the seminar.

“Leaders are aware of people’s aspirations, but they are going against them,” he said. “It is not the arms that made the Maoists powerful, but their courage and the capacity to grasp the people’s sentiments.”

“At this crucial hour, we should decide whether or not to keep the monarchy,” he said.

“Nepal should first go for a referendum on whether to keep a corrected monarchy or establish a republic,” he said, adding: “Once the fate of monarchy is decided, it would be easier to manage the arms of the Maoists. Thenafter, the nation can go for the elections to the Constituent Assembly (CA).”

Standing Committee member of the CPN-UML Modnath Prashrit said the leaders who back the monarch would also be abolished. “The CA should also decide the fate of the monarchy,” he said.

“A special alternative force should be created with the consensus of all concerned,” he said, adding, “Such a force will help maintain law and order when both the armies are confined to the barracks.”

Stating that Nepal’s future lies in a republican order, student leaders, including Kalyan Kumar Gurung, Kiran Poudel and Ram Krishna Chitrakar, also urged the NC (D) to go for a republican setup. Vice-chairman of the NC (D) Prakash Man Singh admitted that the meeting of the executive committee of the party could not take place due to technical problems.

“Another force would emerge to fulfil the aspirations of the people if the seven-party alliance failed the people,” he said, adding: “In that case, either the Maoists or civil society would lead the final people’s movement for the establishment of a republican Nepal.”