Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Nepal: King’s Maneouvre Not Acceptable
Faced with the mounting revolt of the people, the King has announced his readiness to hand over “executive power” to the political parties. This is a manoeuvre intended to retain effective powers, including control of the armed forces as per the old Constitution. The political parties have rightly rejected this face-saving gesture.
The massive popular movement in Nepal aims for the full restoration of democracy. The crucial step in this regard would be the setting up of a Constituent Assembly which will decide the nature of the democratic set-up in the country. This is also part of the 12-point agreement reached between the seven parties and the Maoists in Nepal.
Only the people of Nepal can decide the nature of the political system they wish to have in the country. Popular sovereignty will be expressed through the Constituent Assembly. The UPA government would do well to heed the wishes of the people of Nepal.