Kathmandu, November 26:

A senior leader of the CPN-UML today ruled out settling for any form of government other than the one which has a mandate to hold elections to a constituent assembly. Standing committee member of the party Modnath Prasrit also indicated an inevitable change in the political scenario in the country. Prasit’s comments come at a time when the seven-party alliance has labelled the recently-announced 12-point understanding between the alliance and the Maoists as a “milestone” in Nepal’s political history.

“We cannot compromise on joining any form of government other than the one that gets the mandate to hold elections to a constituent assembly,” Prasrit said. He was speaking at an interaction organised here. He conceded that his party has moved towards a republican set-up, that is without the King. “The recent development has served as a big blow to royalists,” Prasrit said. This development, he said, was sure to bring about a sea-change in politics here.

Nepali Congress (NC) leader Bhim Bahadur Tamang labelled the parties-Maoists

“understanding” as positive.

“The three-month-long unilateral ceasefire declared by the Maoists has brought new developments in the country,” Tamang said, adding that the municipal elections announced by the government will not resolve the deepening crises. Roshan Karki of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) said her party welcomes “all efforts to bring about peace” in the country, but held reservations on the “understanding” raising serious doubts on its results.

“I see difficulties in implementing the understanding, which does not include the State,” she said, adding that her party was “cautiously studying and analysing” the developments.

She also questioned as who would guarantee that the Maoists will sincerely lay down their arms during the elections to a constituent assembly. Gyanendra Karki of the NC (Democratic) suggested the Maoists extend their ceasefire and urged the King to act positively on the peace efforts being made to avert unfortunate circumstances.