Prachanda may meet King Gyanendra
8 May 2008, 1511 Hrs

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Kathamandu, May 8 (ANI): Nepal's Maoist leader Prachanda said today that he is willing to meet King Gyanendra to arrange for his graceful exit.

Prachanda said he has received indications from the Royal Palace that the king is willing to meet him to discuss the monarchy's future.

He hopes that the talks could only be about ways of ending the monarchy and the king should be clear about that.

"If the king does not respect the people's verdict, he will harm himself, his offspring and the country. I hope he will not take any foolish measures."

He also hoped the king would "voluntarily resign" on the day of the first sitting of the assembly, which is expected to implement an earlier decision to turn Nepal into a republic.

He said: "The Maoists will lead the new government in Nepal, the world's last Hindu kingdom."

Prachanda's party won maximum votes in last month's Constituent Assembly Elections. (ANI)