Kavre, November 10:

Standing committee member of the CPN-UML, Bamdev Gautam, today said that Nepal cannot be turned into a republic unless the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist work together for the same.

Addressing at a press meet in Banepa, Gautam said: “The Maoists and the CPN-UML should work together until a republic is established. We can sort our differences after that.” “The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly will decide on the formation of a republic in the country,” Gautam said.

Gautam criticised Maoist supremo Prachanda for delivering a statement, in which he had called on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to lead the interim government as well.

“A PM will be selected with the consent of all eight parties,” Gautam said, adding: “General secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal can also be a candidate for the post of the Prime Minister.”