Kathmandu: Joining forces against King Gyanendra, seven political parties and the Maoists in Nepal on Sunday announced an agreement to launch a fresh agitation next month against his autocratic rule and find a political solution to the decade-old armed conflict by holding polls to the Constituent Assembly.

Interim government

The seven-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy also urged the rebels to end the blockade of roads connecting Kathmandu and the rest of Nepal. The Maoists and the Alliance agreed to form an interim government by holding a national political conference of the agitating democratic forces and to establish full-fledged democracy by holding elections to the Constituent Assembly, the parties said in a joint statement.

Nepali Congress central member Shekhar Koirala said the Maoists agreed to withdraw the three-week-long economic blockade. But a rebel statement on this is yet to come.

Peaceful protests

The intensified agitation programme starting on April 6 includes a four-day general strike and civil disobedience movement, besides a massive public rally in Kathmandu on April 8. The leaders of the Alliance called on the people to participate in their peaceful movement to restore democracy and return sovereign power and state authority to the people through elections.

The parties also called on the international community to support their initiatives to end absolute monarchy and find a political solution to the insurgency, the joint statement said. They reiterated their commitment to reinstate Parliament and form a powerful all-party government, which will hold a dialogue with the rebels.

The parties have also agreed to continue a dialogue with the Maoists to seek common ground.

Pact signed by Prachanda

On behalf of the seven-party Alliance, Nepali Congress spokesman Krishna Sitaula and party treasurer Mahanta Thakur, Nepal Communist Party UML's senior politburo members Jhalanath Khanal and Bamdev Gautam, Janamorcha Nepal President Amik Serchan and CPN-Unity Centre leader Prakash inked the agreement while CPN-Maoist chief Prachanda signed for the rebels. — PTI

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