The much-awaited meeting of the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) has kicked off at the residence of former premier and Nepali Congress president, GP Koirala, at Maharajgunj Saturday afternoon.

Top leaders of the seven opposition parties are taking part in the crucial meeting that is expected to decide the alliance’s position vis a vis Friday’s royal proclamation.

Earlier, all seven parties had met separately to work out their party’s respective positions. According to reports, Nepali Congress, UML, NC (Democratic) and other left parties have rejected the royal offer to name the new prime minister on behalf of the alliance. They further said the modalities of transfer of power from the king to the people is not clear.

Talking to reporters after the meeting of Nepali Congress central working committee at GP Koirala’s residence, central committee member of the NC Arjun Narsingh KC said the royal proclamation had failed to address any of the agenda put forward by the opposition parties.

“The `people’s movement’ will continue. We are all determined to take this struggle to new heights,” he said.

Meanwhile, there are reports of protests across the country’s against the royal proclamation. Tens of thousands of people in Pokhara, Dhangadhi and Chitwan, among others, have taken to streets cautioning leaders not to take up the royal offer and continue agitation unless the SPA’s demands are met. nepalnews.com by Apr 22 06