Gorkha, May 29:

Senior CPN-Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai today said his party may reconsider the stand to declare a republican set-up if the two factions of Nepali Congress agreed to go for a republic.

Talking to the journalists here before returning to Kathmandu after spending four days with his family members, he said: “The unity between the eight parties, including republican forces, is still necessary. If the two Congresses agree to go for a republic, the Maoists may reconsider the stand to declare republic before the constituent assembly poll.”

He also claimed that the palace and international forces were playing roles to delay the eight-party meeting for a long time. A number of points in the Comprehensive Peace Treaty could be declared annulled if the understanding reached between eight parties were not implemented and delay is made to reach a new understanding, he warned.

He also refuted the rumour that the unity between the eight parties has ended.