Nepal parties mull referendum on monarchy

The seven political parties in Nepal are mulling over a referendum to take final decision on monarchy.

Kathmandu, Oct 8 : The seven political parties in Nepal are mulling over a referendum to take final decision on monarchy.

Maoists had on Sunday suggested to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala that referendum was the best alternative to take decision on monarchy.

However, Koirala has reportedly rejected the idea saying that it would help the royalists to reorganise and activate their presence in national politics.

This was among the various suggestions given by Maoist Chairman Prachanda to Koirala other than announcing the Himalayan country republic through the interim Parliament and Constituent Assembly elections based on proportional representation.

Prachanda has also hinted at his party rejoining the government under the changed political conditions after the polls scheduled for November 22 was suspended indefinitely.

The political parties decided to ask the Election Commission to suspend the polls after they failed to break the political deadlock that emerged after the Maoists withdrew from the government.

Koirala had turned down the Maoists demands for declaring Nepal a republic immediately.

Some of the coalition parties are also favouring the idea of referendum.

The central committee meeting of the CPN-UML on Sunday concluded that referendum would be the best possible way to end the present political deadlock.

UML had earlier proposed referendum on monarchy, which the Maoists and the Nepali Congress had rejected.

ANI