Kathmandu, August 21 :

President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Pashupati SJB Rana said today that the party would come up with an official stance on the monarchy only after concluding four regional-level meetings, which are scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 19.

The party will hold the Western Regional-level cadres’ meet in Pokhara on August 30-31, Mid-Western Regional meeting in Nepalgunj on September 12-13, Central Regional meeting in Kathmandu on September 15-16 and the Eastern Regional meeting on September 18-19.

“The central working committee cannot revoke the party’s policy on the monarchy, which was adopted by the third national convention. We are looking for an alternative to the third national convention, as it is not possible to convene the fourth convention immediately. The four regional-level meetings will help the party take appropriate decision on the matter,” Rana said at the end of the central committee meeting.

Asked about the possibility of party unification, Rana said the RPP and the Rastriya Jana Shakti Party led by Surya Bahadur Thapa could unite as there was no ideological differences between them. As far as the unity with the RPP (Thapa) is concerned, Rana said, “it’s impossible.”

Spokesperson for the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Parsu Ram Khapung said those who accept Rana’s leadership are welcome in the party.

Today’s meeting, among other things, also came up with the concept of regional government, which should recognise the regional languages in administrative use.

The meeting expressed serious concern over the lack of consensus among constituents of the seven-party alliance on the issues of interim constitution, interim legislature and the process of elections to a constituent assembly. The uncertainty on those issues must be sorted out on the basis of consensus to pave the way for the elections to a constituent assembly, the party said in a statement.

The party also stressed the need to provide citizenship certificates to the Madhesi people in the terai before the constituent assembly elections.

There should be a provision under which children can also obtain citizenship certificates based on mothers’ citizenship certificates. The Parliament has already passed a resolution to this effect.

The party has, however, said the Parliament should be given continuity, as it is the “main legitimate pillar” after the political change.

“It cannot be dismantled. But the Maoists who are out of the parliament should also be accommodated,” the party said in the statement.