In what is seen as a show of strength, an estimated over 20,000 people took part in nearly 12-km long rally from Bhaktapur to Kathmandu on Monday at the call of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) calling for restoration of peace and democracy in the country.

Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party staging a Bhakatpur- Kathmandu rally against ‘regression’ at Kausaltar, Tuesday, Jan 10 06. nepalnews.com/rh

People from all walks of life including women, children and young people participated in the rally organized by NWPP, one of the constituents of the seven-party opposition alliance.

Participants were holding placards that called for reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives and end of what they called an ‘autocratic monarchy’ and chanted slogans against the February 1, royal takeover. The participants also carried placards that described US President George W. Bush as the “terrorist no. 1” of the world.

NWPP activists also carried photo of communist leaders Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin and Mao Ze Dong.

They also called to boycott the municipal polls slated for February 8.

Starting from Bhaktapur, the rally passed through major thoroughfares of the city before converging into a mass meeting in the street in front of the Birendra International Convention Center at New Baneshwore. Police had diverted traffic along the busy street for the mass meting.

Most of the opposition parties and civil society groups organize their mass meetings at New Baneswore, which they have re-named as ‘Loktantra’ (Democracy) chowk, as Open Air Theatre at Tundikhel has been designated by the government as a “Restricted Zone.’

Addressing the mass meeting, NWPP President, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, called upon all to boycott the municipal polls slated on February 8, this year. He alleged that the proposed municipal poll was a government ploy to distract and divide the seven-party alliance that is launching nationwide peaceful movement against the direct rule of the King.

Bijukchhe also criticized one of the provisions in the 12-point understanding between the seven party alliance and the CPN (Maoist) saying that if the country’s army was put under supervision of the foreign powers it might jeopardize the country’s sovereignty.

Other leaders of the NWPP said elections to the constituent assembly was the only way to resolve the long-drawn political crisis in the country. They also called upon the Maoists to give up arms and join the peaceful movement.