KATHMANDU, June 9: A day after 22 political parties including Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML organized a mass gathering in the capital to exert pressure on caretaker Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to resign, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) has demanded the formation of a government led by a sitting or former chief justice to elect a new constituent assembly (CA).
Addressing a mass gathering organized by the RPP-N at Khulamancha here on Saturday, RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa said the present caretaker government cannot hold a free and fair election.[break]
"A new government led by a sitting or former chief justice is needed to hold a free and fair election for a new CA," said Thapa, adding, "If we are barred from new elections, we will reinstate the monarchy and the Constitution of 1990 from the street itself."
Thapa stated that it would not be acceptable to them if the major political parties decided to revive the CA. "Trying to revive the dead CA will be against the people´s will and democracy." Thapa said.
He also urged the president not to take any decision on the recommendation of the UCPN (Maoist), the NC, CPN-UML and the Madhesi alliance [United Democratic Madhesi Front]. "If the president takes any decision as recommended by the four parties, it will invite another crisis in the country," Thapa maintained.
Describing his party as a new force, Thapa stated that they should be taken into confidence before any crucial political decision in the country.
He accused the three major parties and the ruling Madhesi alliance of being responsible for the dissolution of the CA without promulgating a new constitution. "But now they are trying to push the country toward confrontation by talking about various options following the CA dissolution," Thapa added.
Speaking at the same function, Vice-chairman of RPP-N Dhaval Samasher Rana said that they would not let the political parties revive the CA at any cost. "It has been borne out that the roadmap [of federalism and secularism] carved by the political parties was wrong," Rana claimed.
NC leader Devendra Nepali, who was a guest speaker, stood with the RPP-N leaders in favor of monarchy. "If the monarchy is revived, no one need be afraid as the king will not take revenge on anyone," he argued.
The party cadres, who were attending the gathering with the national flag and flags of the RPP-N in hand, chanted slogans in favor monarchy and a Hindu kingdom during the speeches of their leaders.
There was a heavy police presence around the venue as this was the pro-monarchy party´s first mass gathering since the CA dissolution on May 27.
Participants carrying national and party flags.
Party leaders besides a photo of king Privthi Narayan Shah
Party leaders at the meet venue. On the backdrop is seen a huge hoarding board with the portrait of party Chairman Kamal Thapa.
An activist blowing Shankha, a shell of Turbinella pyrum.
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