Biratnagar, January 28:

Acting president of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said today that the NC leaders and cadres speaking in support of monarchy and going against the party policy would be punished.

He said while speaking at a press conference organised by the Nepal Press Union Morang chapter in Biratnagar today.

Stating that NC would not accept the king’s rule, he said: “Minister without portfolio Sujata Koirala has spoken against party’s policy and the party has taken the issue seriously.”

He also said that the Nepal Army could be mobilised during the election to the constituent assembly as per the consensus of the seven-party alliance. “The major political parties have suggested mobilisation of NA during the CA election,” he said, claiming the election would be held on April 10 at any cost.

He warned that the nation would be driven towards a civil war if the CA election was not held on time.

Koirala who has been on a visit to the Tarai districts for the past two weeks, said the environment in the Tarai region is becoming conducive for the CA polls and that Tarai issues should be solved after the polls.

He blamed the Maoists of trying to obstruct the CA polls by not implementing pacts and not returning the land and property they have seized. The YCL activities are beyond the party’s control even after the Maoists have joined the government, he said.

NC general secretary Dr Ram Baran Yadav said the agitating groups are encouraging the illiterate people in the Madhes.