Koirala to be new PM, SPA says Parliament revival just the beginning

Kathmandu, Apr 25 (UNI) The seven-party alliance in Nepal, today announcing Girija Prasad Koirala as the new Prime Minister, said the revival of Parliament was just the beginning and it would continue its movement for the restoration of full-fledged democracy and peace in the Himalayan kingdom.

The political grouping also announced it would hold a public meeting on Thursday -- a day before the revived Parliament holds its sitting -- at the open air theatre here where leaders would reveal their future strategy.

A statement released by the alliance, after the meeting of its top leaders at the veteran politicians house in Maharajganj, welcomed the King's Proclamation, saying it had recognised the people are the source of power and sovereignty, and accepted the people's sentiment in the movement for the acceptance of the SPA's 'road-map.' ''In this phase, historic achievements have been made paving the way for change,'' it said, adding that the success of the movement is the ''outcome of those martyrs who sacrificed their life, or were wounded and the professionals and the general people who extended their support.'' Emerging out of the meeting, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (Democratic) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba told UNI that the King's proclamation was a victory for the people and he had finally acknowledged that sovereignty lay in the people.

To a question on whether the Maoists would go along with the agreement, he expressed the hope and said success of the seven -party agitation would seek to convince them that peaceful means were better to attain political goals.

''People wanted peace and prosperity and political leaders would strive not to betray their aspirations,'' Mr Deuba said.

When the strident call by the protestors gunning for the head of the King and Home Minister Kamal Thapa was pointed out to him, he parried a direct reply and said, ''The rule of law would prevail.'' The SPA, in its statement, also thanked the Maoists for their ''help and support'' to the peaceful conduct of the movement, according to the 12-point understanding.

However, in a major rebuff, the Maoists today categorically ''rejected and dismissed'' King Gyanendra's announcement of revival of the sacked Parliament and castigated the seven-party alliance (SPA) for welcoming the announcement unilaterally, terming it a violation of the ''spirit behind the 12-point agreement and against the hope and sentiment of the Nepalese people.'' More UNI VD YA GC1452