Janakpur, February 21:

Chairman of CPN-Maoist Prachanda said today the nation could face great trouble if a republic was not declared at the earliest. He added that his party would register a proposal in the legislative parliament to declare the country a republic.

Speaking in press meet organised by CPN-Maoist Dhanusha district organisation in Janakpur today, Prachanda said the legislative parliament must declare the nation a republic with agreement of eight parties as soon as possible.

“The royalists and feudal regressive forces are active to foil the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections. That is why, we should opt to go for CA polls after declaring a republic first,” Prachanda said, adding: “Our party is preparing to register the proposal to declare the nation a republic in legislative parliament by Wednesday evening.”

He claimed that a republic would be declared through the parliament and the streets

if royalists start hatching conspiracies. He added that efforts were on to convince eight parties’ leaders to reach an agreement for declaration of republic through parliament. “The royalists can devise a new way to thwart CA elections”, Prachanda said.

Stating that it would not be necessary for the Maoists to join interim government if a republic was announced, Prachanda clarified that the Maoists, however, have agreed to join the government as per the advice of seven parties and “foreign allies.”

Stating that Maoists’ arms management in different divisions have been completed, Prachanda said the verification of PLA men involved in providing security to Maoist leaders and weapons carried by them will also begin soon. “Completion of Maoists’ arms registration will pave the way for formation of interim government”, he said.