Koirala hoists national flag at Narayanhiti palace

Kathmandu, Jun 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is also head of the state, hoisted the national flag over the Narayanhiti palace amid a special function held here today.

The Narayanhiti palace has been turned into a national museum from today as there is the signboard 'Narayanhiti Palace Museum.' Hoisting the national flag, Mr Koirala said the flag could depict the ''message of unity.'' ''The peaceful establishment of a republic in Nepal has left the world stunned,'' he said.

Mr Koirala said the former King Gyanendra also assisted in the process of Republic. Gyanendra had said he would accept the decision of Constituent Assembly (CA) to declare Nepal a republic at a press conference before leaving the palace to Nagarjun, the hilltop resort palace in Kathmandu.

Mr Koirala said there must be a federalism of 'Nepaliness' in the new constitution.

''This is the day which comes once in an era, when the national flag flies over the former royal palace in the hands of the people.

That's why I have taken this day as a very important one,'' he said.

A large number of people, including party leaders, CA members, ministers, constitutional heads, civil society members, representatives of diplomatic mission, government officials attended the function.

UNI XC PD AS2027