RPP Nepal chair Thapa hints collaboration between pro-royalists and CPN-Maoist if poll put-off

KATHMANDU: With the CPN-Maoist leaders reiterating that they are positive for having alliance with the former monarch for the issue of nationalism, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa has said that collaboration between pro-royalists and CPN-Maoist is possible if the November 19 election is put off.

Speaking at an interaction in the Capital on Wednesday, Thapa further revealed that Baidhya-led Maoists are holding talks with former King Gyanendra Shah for the same. Leader Thapa said that nationalism is in dire straits.

He maintained that the working unity among the pro-nationalist forces is the need of the hour to safeguard the deteriorating nationalism and sovereignty.

He further informed that he has been holding regular meetings with CPN-Maoist chief Mohan Baidya and senior leaders Dev Gurung and Netra Bikram Chanda, and said he agrees with their assertion that the country’s sovereignty is in serious crisis

Thapa also admitted that if the Constituent Assembly election scheduled for November 19 does not take place then there can be cooperation between royalists and Maoists.

“If the election does not take place as scheduled then there would be cooperation between the king, Maoists and all the nationalists forces, and together we will wage a nationwide movement to save our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

In another context, he informed that former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was the first person to propose the collaboration between pro-royalist forces and Maoists. Thapa expressed his serious exception over Dr. Bhattarai’s recent statement that the former king should be arrested for being active of late.