At a time when various groups are advocating for the election of the constituent assembly to resolve the problems the country is facing, speaker of the dissolved House of Representatives, Taranath Ranabhat has warned that an election to constituent assembly would lead the country towards disintegration.

Speaking at a programme in the capital on Thursday Ranabhat urged the King, the political parties and the Maoists to give up their adamant stances and return to the negotiating table to find peaceful settlement of the conflict.

He said the issues raised by the Maoists could be discussed and the constitution could be amended to address such issues.

Ranabhat, who recently received an audience from His Majesty the King in Pokhara, also said that the King is ready to return state power to the people’s representatives.

He asked the Maoists to abandon arms and violence and the political parties to suspend their street agitation to find amicable solution to the problems facing the country.

Ranabhat however said, “The King has failed to restore peace, democracy and good governance or maintain fiscal discipline, following the royal takeover.”

“Economic prosperity, including tourism development, is possible only if the people are allowed to rule themselves and political stability is ensured,” he added.