House should not declare republic, says Oli
In a clear indication that the CPN-UML remains sharply divided over the recent directive of the parliament, senior party leader K.P Sharma Oli today said the parliament should not announce republic.
“The parliament should not announce republic just because the majority wants it to do so,” Oli said at a programme in the capital. Stressing that only the constituent assembly can decide the fate of the monarchy, Oli said the UML would not go for any move that would deprive the people of their right to choose the political system of their choice.
Oli further said the government must seek consensus of the seven parties before implementing the proposals, on establishing republican order and adopting proportional voting system, which were passed by the special House session.
“The government should respect the parliamentary decisions but there must be seven-party consensus if it decides to go for amendment in the interim constitution,” he said, claiming that the UML had supported the two proposals so the Maoists would not quit the peace process.
Oli remarks sharply contrast the recent statements of his party’s general secretary, Madhav Kumar Nepal, who has been saying that the government should immediately start process towards implementing the House directive. nepalnews.com mk Nov 15 07
