Political parties in Nepal want powerless King

Leaders in Nepal's seven-party alliance have said that a solution to the political crisis can be evolved under a powerless King.

Terming King Gyanendra's recent consultations with pro-monarchy activists as a "drama," new generation leaders in the seven-party alliance have said that a solution to the political crisis can be evolved under a powerless King and unarmed Maoists.

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"Pokhara consultations (with loyalists) are nothing more than a family meeting," said Nepal Communist Party-UML leader Subhas Nemwang.

Peaceful movement is the one point agenda for restoration of democracy of the seven-party alliance, he said adding the parties will not divert their attention to any other issue.

Nepali Congress (Democratic) central member Minendra Rijal said, solution to the present problem is a "powerless King and unarmed Maoists".

The parties are aware of the Palace's tricks to trap them through consultations, he said adding, the Maoists statements against parliamentary democracy have made the King stronger.

Sujata Koirala, Nepali Congress central member and daughter of party president Girija Prasad Koirala, said by signing the 12 point agreement with the Maoists, the seven party alliance has made an attempt to bring the rebels into peaceful politics but they have not yet abandoned their acts of violence and terror.

The leaders' statements come in the wake of US President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreeing that the King should initiate the process of dialogue with the parties and restore multiparty democracy in Nepal.