An influential leader of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) has said that a republican front will be formed even without the inclusion of Nepali Congress (NC).
Standing committee member of UML Bamdev Gautam has said that such a front including the Maoists will be formed whether NC accepts it or rejects it."The front will be against monarchy. And if the NC supports monarchy, then it will also be against NC," said Gautam.
Gautam's remarks came in the wake of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's assertions that his party will not be a part of any republican front. PM Koirala has warned that no one should try to 'impose' thoughts on a democratic party.
Meanwhile, Hridayesh Tripathy, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, has said that PM Koirala's remarks about the republican front are his personal opinion. "His views would not affect the environment for talks," said Tripathy who had met with Koirala at his residence in Biratnagar on Thursday.
Home Minister Krishna Sitaula added that in a democracy there were bound to be diversity of opinions. "PM's comments will not hamper talks," he said. Likewise, Maoist leader Dev Gurung – who is also a member of Maoist talks team – said that PM Koirala's remarks alone will not derail the talks. Gurung expected that the next summit meeting would take place within "four to five days.