After a remarkable victory in the constituent assembly, Communist Party of Nepal supremo and former Maoist rebel Prachanda has formally announced that he will be heading the next government in Nepal. On Saturday, April 19, 2008, the CPN head remarked at Katmandu that he will present himself as the head of the new Republican government in a few days time. The Maoists had earlier projected Prachanda as the first President of the Republic of Nepal while second in rank Baburam Bhattarai was projected as The Prime Minister.

 

The 240 year old monarchy of Nepal will also be brought to an end at the first meeting of the constituent assembly and Nepal would be declared a federal Republic. The Communist Party of Nepal had swept the polls by clinching 119 seats in the constituent assembly elections. Girija Prasad Koirala’s Nepali Congress bagged the second position by winning 35 seats.

 

Prachanda also remarked significantly that the Maoists will surprise the world by peacefully negotiating with the king to step down from the monarchy. The CPN head stated that he is ready to meet king Gyanendra to ask him to quit the royal palace. The king he said would not be barred from taking part in the political activities of Nepal, if he wished so in capacity of an ordinary citizen of Nepal. He is also free to pursue any business or other activity in the Himalayan state.