The Nepalese crown would cease to exist after an election later this year that would ask the people to chose between a republic and the monarchy, Maoist supremo Prachanda asserted on Friday, maintaining that the Leftists would next month join the government as a coalition partner.
Addressing a press conference in Kathmandu after path-breaking peace talks with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda asserted that those who advocated a ceremonial monarch were expressing their personal opinion.
The Maoist supremo was obliquely referring to a comment by Koirala earlier this week that Nepal was passing through a critical stage and needed a ceremonial monarch.
Earlier Friday, nearly 11 years after his last public appearance in Kathmandu, Prachanda arrived in the Nepalese capital for talks with Koirala. It was the first time during the decade-old insurgency that peace talks were held between the Maoist leader and the prime minister.
The 52-year-old rebel chief and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai were flown in from Pokhara city in central Nepal by helicopter and were escorted by Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula to Koirala's official residence in Baluwatar.
After nearly three hours of parleys between the two leaders, top leaders of the ruling seven-party alliance (SPA) joined them.
After nearly three hours of parleys between the two leaders, top leaders of the ruling seven-party alliance (SPA) joined them.