Commenting to recent proposal by Maoist leadership that they want to hold talks with the King directly, Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala said it was a new conspiracy against the palace.

Addressing a talk programme organised by Nepal Students Union, a sister organisation of the party, the former prime minister said the King should not be elated by reading the Maoist statement. “The King should understand what will happen if the talks with the rebels fail,” said Koirala.

“The monarchy itself would fall into crisis if the King is directly involved in negotiations with the rebels,” he added. Koirala was reacting to recent Maoist statement that they will not hold negotiations with the ‘servant’ (the govt.) but with the `master’ (the King) only.

Responding to Maoist demand for holding elections to the constituent assembly, Koirala said neither the King nor the government could fulfill their demands. “Only the House of Representatives has the right to move towards the constituent assembly,” said Koirala. He added that restoration of the dissolved parliament would pave way for addressing Maoist demands like round table conference and constituent assembly. nepalnews.com by Sep 13 04