M A I N   N E W S

Nepal King revives Parliament
Political parties welcome move

Kathmandu, April 24
Yielding to unrelenting pressure from the pro-democracy movement, King Gyanendra of Nepal tonight met a key demand of the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) by announcing that Parliament, which he had dissolved in 2002 would be revived.

The embattled monarch said in a televised address to the nation that Parliament would meet on Friday.

He was reviving Parliament in the interest of the people, he said.

The King’s announcement came hours before a massive rally here tomorrow organised by the SPA which had rejected his offer last week to relinquish executive power and his invitation that they choose a new Prime Minister.

The SPA had instead demanded revival of the Parliament, setting up of a constituent assembly and for the King to give up not only executive power but also the state power which gives him control of the army.

The King said Parliament has been reinstated in order to resolve the present political crisis including resolution to the ten-year old armed conflict as per the road map presented by the Seven Party Alliance.

The Seven Party Alliance had earlier said that through reinstatement of Parliament it will form an all-party government and call the Maoists for dialogue and hold constituent assembly election to find a political solution to the ongoing crisis.

The King also accepted the road map of the SPA to restore democracy and peace. He also also expressed condolence for those who lost their lives in the nearly three-week pro-democracy agitation and wished speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries.

The King said Nepalese people are the source of sovereign power and the state authority also rests on them.

Welcoming King Gyanendra's announcement to reinstate Parliament in Nepal, Communist Party of Nepal (UML) leader Rajan Bhattarai said the first task of the House of Representatives would be to declare elections to the Constituent Assembly.

"The first task of the reinstated Parliament, when it meets on Friday, would be to declare elections to the Constituent Assembly," Bhattarai said.

Asked about the future of monarchy, he said that it would be the decision of the people of Nepal. — Agencies