Kathmandu, Feb 03: Promising to hand over power to an elected government "as soon as possible", Nepalese Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand today said his government is committed to multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy and urged the political parties to support the peace talks with the Maoist rebels. "The present government is eager to transfer power to the elected representatives of the people as early as possible," Chand said in a speech broadcast over state radio and TV.
Chand said all the decisions taken earlier against the Maoists including terming them as terrorists, have been withdrawn.
Chand, who was appointed premier by King Gyanendra after sacking elected premier Sher Bahadur Deuba, for his "incompetance" in dealing with the seven-year Maoist insurgency, has not been recognised by the country's political parties who say his appointment is unconstitutional.
"Both his majesty the king and the people's expectations and commitments are centered on the system, although nothing was done in the past 12 years of multi-party system of the government to promote it," Chand said.
"Therefore, let our thought and action be guided by the monarchial culture, and values of the multi-party polity."
Without stating when the formal talks between government and Maoist rebels would begin, Chand said "the cease-fire between the government and the Maoists has begun a hopeful peace process."
"As his majesty's government has already initiated promising efforts to establish durable peace, understanding and cooperation of all the political parties and the entire citizenary are needed to convert the cease fire into a lasting peace, said Chand. Bureau Report