Monarchy to stay if Gyanendra and Paras give up throne: Koirala

Kathmandu, Jun 17 (UNI) Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said monarchy could be allowed to continue in Nepal only if King Gyanendra and Crown Prince Paras gave up the throne before the Constituent Assembly elections, according to media reports.

''If Gyanendra and Paras did not give up the throne before the polls, the Constituent Assembly polls would mark an end of Nepal's monarchy,'' Kantipur Television quoted Koirala as saying.

Parliament has made an amendment in the interim constitution that the monarchy can be abolished with a two-thirds majority of Parliament.

All the major political parties except the Nepali Congress have said they would prefer the end of monarchy in the Himalayan nation.

King Gyanendra, who came to the throne after the royal palace massacre in June 2001, was forced to give up his dictatorial rule following the anti-king demonstrations across the country last year.

Parliament stripped him of all powers and disconnected his links with the Army.

UNI