Maoist chairman Prachanda has revealed that he has sent a message to King Gyanendra, suggesting him to leave Narayanhiti Palace by May 27, a day before the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) formally abolishes monarchy and declares the country a republic.

Talking to reporters in Ilam after inaugurating a meeting of the party’s Limbuwan State Council on Tuesday, Prachanda warned that the King could face forceful eviction from the palace if he refused to quit voluntarily.

Saying that the first CA meeting would declare the country a republic, the Maoist strongman made it clear that his party would not accept any form of monarchy. If the King cooperated with the political process he would be given the rights enjoyed by ordinary citizens, Prachanda added.

Prachanda’s ‘ultimatum’ comes a day after he met former royalist minister and chairman of Rasatriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, Kamal Thapa, and, through him, reportedly conveyed his message to the King. nepalnews.com mk May 13 08