Group of former Royalists in Nepal to support Maoists during polls

Kathmandu, Jan 19 (UNI) A group of former Royalists, who served in various positions during King's direct rule, today said it has launched a campaign to support the Maoists in the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls.

The group, led by former administrator Surya Bahadur Sen, declared the campaign for Nationalist-Republican Unity, amid a programme held at New Baneshwor.

The group will unite the Panchas or the former members of the Panchayat regime, working under the King in the villages, to assist the Maoists.

''The campaign has been set up to unite the nationalists and the republicans,'' the Kantipur quoted Mr Sen, as saying.

Maoists recently said they are holding talks with the royalists as part of their campaign to unite ''nationalist forces'' that is criticised by other major political parties including the Nepali Congress and the CPN, UML.

Late King Mahendra, father of suspended King Gyanendra had introduced Panchayat system, a dictatorial one party system in the name of nationalism.

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