Kathmandu, Oct 05: Hinting at forming a Nepalese government based on popular representation, King Gyanendra today called for peace, an end to the seven-year-old Maoist insurgency and resumption of development activities in the country. "To activate soon a form of governance based on popular representatives, it is essential that all the countrymen unite, with patriotism as the focal point," he said in a Vijay Dashmi message broadcast by Radio Nepal.

"The country is in the grip of violence, terror and destruction for the past few years and every Nepali desires to see an end to this situation," he said, adding an end must be put to mutual recrimination and mistrust for the greater interest of the country. In a separate message to the nation on the same occasion, Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa also stressed the need to hold parliamentary elections to end the current political impasse.

"Since elections to the House of Representatives for the installation of Parliament is the appropriate political way out acceptable to all at present, it becomes the responsibility of all of US to create the minimum environment of security to prepare the country for elections," he said. He also urged all political parties to move ahead in spirit of cooperation setting aside all obstinacies.

The King's message to form a government based on political representatives is a positive one, said Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudyal.

Bureau Report