Royalist party splits over issue supporting Maoists

Kathmandu, Aug 21 (UNI) Over five dozen leaders and cadres of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP-N), the only royalist party with four seats in the CA, are preparing to defect from their party to join Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

The defectors include former president of the party Rabindra Nath Sharma and another influential leader Rajeshwor Devkota. They have accused party president Kamal Thapa, who was home minister during the direct rule of the then King Gyanendra, of speaking in favour of CPN (Maoist).

The royalist leader Mr Thapa, who was home minister during the King's rule, has been supporting Maoists and all four votes of this party went to Pushpa Kamal Dahal during the prime minister's election last week.

It is quite interesting that Mr Thapa, who is advocating the reinstatement of the monarchy, opposes Nepali Congress, and supports Maoists, who are known as republican.

This is the only party to support the monarchy in the 601-seat Constituent Assembly. Mr Thapa formed the RPP-Nepal splitting from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, formerly a royalist party.

In recent days, the RPP has been advocating republican Nepal and voted in favour of declaration of republic a abolition of monarchy. Mr Thapa's party gave four votes against the abolition of the monarchy.

UNI XC PD AS1721