Nepalese King must be ousted, says Maoist leader

New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) Nepal may be rejoicing over its Parliament launching a historic assault on the rights and privileges of the king in the wake of a democratic upsurge, but the country's Maoist rebel leader Pushpkamal Dahal alias Prachanda is sulking over what he terms as ''an incomplete step'' towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people's movement.

''Though the proclamation is an important step, it is not revolutionary as it is an attempt to retain ceremonial monarchy.

Thus, we have only welcomed it conditionally,'' Mr Dahal told BBC Hindi Radio in an interview.

The ultra-left leader also expressed doubt that the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) is trying to sideline the Maoists under pressure from the US, the Euopean Union and India.

Mr Dahal, who was speaking to the BBC at an undisclosed location, also regretted that Prime Minister G P Koirala did not take him into confidence about the Parliament proclamation.

As per the 12-point understanding with the seven political parties, they should have initiated a dialogue with the Maoists soon after Parliament was reconvened, he said.

''The Koirala Government should initiate talks immediately with the rebels and other civil society bodies to form an interim government,'' he suggested.

Mr Dahal also demanded that the present Parliament be dissolved and and the government take necessary steps for electing a Constituent Assembly to decide the fate of the monarchy.

On Thursday, the Nepalese Parliament adopted a landmark proclamation to prune the powers and privileges of the two-century-old monarchy, ending its control over the Army and bringing the 90,000 troops under the direct control of the legislature.

Besides sounding a death-knell for the world's lone Hindu Kingdom by declaring Nepal as a secular country, the proclamation brings the royal family and its assets under the tax net. It also provides for a Constituent Asembly to decide the future of monarchy.

Mr Dahal said if the Maoist Communist Party decides, it can consider joining the proposed interim government in Nepal.

Asked about the rebels' People's Liberation Army (PLA), he said, ''We are ready to put our army under the UN or some other credible institution.'' He said after a Constituent Assembly is elected, ''we can reorganise both Nepalese Army and PLA as per the decision of the Constituent Assembly.'' The rebel leader also said after the dissolution of Parliament, the Maoists would favour a round table conference to be held, comprising political parties and civil society leaders.

He said they (rebels) wanted the formation of a new council which would supervise elections to the Constituent Assembly.

''As far as possible we are trying to resolve the crisis peacefully to empower the people but if that does not happen and again repression starts, then we will have to take up arms struggle again.'' However, he said ''we believe that this time such a situation will not arise because we have an understanding with the seven political parties.'' About King Gyanendra, he said, ''there is no place for the king and he should be ousted. Nepali people want to get rid of him. The king should be tried in court and punished all his wealth should be converted into national property.'' UNI SKS SRS DS1525