Nepal

Maoists say monarchy's days numbered after poll triumph confirmed

Article published on the 2008-04-24 Latest update 2008-04-24 12:15 TU

Maoists demonstrate against the king
(Photo: Reuters)

Nepal's Maoists say that the first meeting of the newly-elected constitutent assembly will scrap the 240-year-old monarchy, after they won nearly 30 per-cent of total votes in this month's election. Final results, announced late Wednesday, give the former guerrillas twice as many seats than their nearest rivals.

"The first meeting of the constituent assembly will definitely end the monarchy and there will not be any compromise on this," declared Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, after meeting foreign ambassadors and UN officials.

The previous parliament voted for the measure but the Maoists are keener on the move than some other parties. Their other top priority is integrating the 25,000 members of their People's Liberation Army with the state military.

The Maoist victory has surprised many commentators. But, in line with recent pro-democracy declarations, they will head a coalition government.

Maoist leaders have met business owners to calm fears that they would launch widespread nationalisations.

After seats allocated according to proportional representation were finally announced last night, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) had 217 members in the 601-member assembly, while the Congress party, which headed the outgoing government, came second with 107.