Maoists suggest referendum on monarchy
Kathmandu,
Oct
8:
Maoist
leaders
have
suggested
a
referendum
to
decide
the
fate
of
the
monarchy
if
Nepal
is
not
declared
a
republic
through
parliament.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda and his deputy Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai, recommended a referendum to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala during their meeting yesterday.
Dr Bhattarai said their first priority was to declare Nepal a republic through parliament but if that was not acceptable to the Nepali Congress, other alternatives, including a referendum, should be looked upon to decide the fate of monarchy as soon as possible, Kantipuronline reported.
Reacting to the suggestion, the Prime Minister told the leaders that a referendum would bring the monarchy into existence again.
Later, he informed CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal about the political alternative suggested by the Maoists.
UNI