Nepal govt calls Gyanendra's statement ''unconstitutional''

Kathmandu, Feb 20 (UNI) The Nepal government today strongly objected to King Gyanendra's statement that he wrested power two years ago in order to maintain law and order in the country and held it ''unconstitutional''.

''The message is unconstitutional and strongly objectionable,'' the state-run The Rising Nepal quoted Minister of State for Information and Communications and government spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu as saying.

The government strongly opposed the statement made yesterday by Gyanendra that tried to justify the regressive and conspiratorial step of usurping power to be according to people's aspiration, he said.

''The message has made malicious attempt to sabotage the achievement made by people's movement and urged all democratic forces to be alert and united against possible conspiracy indicated by the message,'' Mr Badu said.

There is widespread condemnation against the statement of the King who tried to defend his take over as ''compulsion''.

The civil society is going to launch sit in protest in front of Singhdurbar today, demanding to declare the Himalayan nation as republic abolishing the monarchy.

Major political parties, students organisations, human rights organisations and Nepalese living outside the country have also condemned the King.

UNI