The high commands of the five parties, for the first time, on Sunday indicated that they should share “equal responsibility” for the slogans against an “active monarchy” being raised by the students, a daily said Monday, quoting sources.

Students’ agitation is an inalienable part of the joint mass movement initiated by the parties, the Himalayan Times quoted a participant of the five parties’ meeting held at UML’s office on Sunday, as saying.

“If the King prefers to remain an active monarch, the parties, too, will be compelled to support the students’ slogans,” the participant said.

Another report in Rajdhani daily said parties will incorporate Maoist rebels in their movement if the King remains adamant on his stance.

“Students’ sloganeering against the active monarchy is the second phase of the movement,” the daily quoted Nepali Congress leader Krishna Sitaula, as saying.

“If the King do not give up, we will announce third phase of movement, which will announce that monarchy is no more relevant in Nepal,” Sitaula said.

“In that phase, the whole nation will be full of republican slogans. Even Maoists will leave weapons and join our movement for a republic state in that phase,” he claimed.