As the nationwide general strike has entered into the 13th day on Tuesday, leaders of the seven party alliance (SPA) have warned that the strike will continue unless the king agrees to their demands.

Talking to Nepalnews, joint general secretary of Nepali Congress, one of the major constituents of the SPA, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, said the alliance had not discussed about withdrawing the general strike as yet.

The SPA announced the indefinite general strike from 6th April as part of their ongoing protest for the restoration democracy in the country.

Following the 13-day long general strike—perhaps the longest in the country’s history– prices of vegetables have gone up by more than 100 percent. There is acute shortage of petroleum products in the capital and essential commodities like salt.

Dr. Mahat, however, said the SPA was always in favour of people and, hence, would not do anything that will adversely affect the people. “Our agitation and general strike is aimed at restoring people’s sovereignty bringing an end to the autocracy, so if people’s wish is against our general strike, the SPA will withdraw it,” said Dr. Mahat.

Earlier, Maoists had called off the indefinite blockade to the capital and district headquarters on March 19 after six days, keeping in mind the problems faced by common people.

When asked about the withdrawal of Maoist blockade after six days while SPA was continuing the general strike even on 13th day, vice-chairman of the People’s Front of Nepal, Lilamani Pokhrel, said unlike the protest programmes of the Maoists, the SPA had appealed to the people to bear some inconvenience to make the agitation a decisive one.

“We don’t have an immediate plan to revoke the general strike,” said Pokhrel adding, “Though people are facing some problem due to the general strike, we hope they will continue to cooperate with us in order to make the agitation decisive one for the restoration of complete democracy. It is not possible to achieve the goal without trouble and inconvenience,” he added.

Meanwhile, talking to Nepalnews on Tuesday, spokesperson of Nepali Congress, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, said the SPA had urged residents of the capital valley to take part in the Thursday’s rally.

“We have urged the people to come to the street– at least one person from a family– to make the agitation a success, but it is not a compulsion,” adding, “Democracy is essential for all. So we have made the request to all to make the agitation a success.”

He also refuted reports that the SPA was going to make it mandatory for people to join the opposition rally. nepalnews.com pb Apr 18 06