Kathmandu:
Maoist chief Prachnada, who led the decade-long armed struggle to bring down the 240-year-old monarchy in Nepal, wants to reinstate the royalty to save the country from "foreign intervention", a pro-royalist leader claimed on Friday.
Kamal Thapa, president of royalist Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, said that UCPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda is positive about reinstating monarchy.
"Prachanda told me during a meeting that foreign intervention has intensified in the country after the abolition of monarchy," Thapa told reporters in Kathmandu.
"He told me that he realised the need to restore monarchy to save the country from foreign intervention," Thapa said without naming any country.
In the past, Prachanda has been critical of India for "inferring" in Nepal and some of the key bilateral pacts. He has demanded the revision of the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty on the basis of "changed scenario" and resolving the border row over Kalapani and Susta.
Thapa's statement comes at a time when former crown prince Paras said that monarchy could be revived if the Nepalese people wants it to play a certain role.
The Maoist revolt began in 1996 to end the monarchy and the conflict lasted for ten years. Nepal abolished monarchy in 2008 and became the world's youngest republic.
Thapa also suggested that the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), whose term is expiring in mid-September should be extended to control the activities of the Maoists.
The current mandate given to UNMIN is insufficient, he pointed out.
He also said that the Nepal Army should be allowed to recruit new personnel and the national army should not come under the vigilance of the UNMIN.
Thapa's remarks came at a time when the country is trapped in a deeper political crisis as the Parliament has failed to elect a new Prime Minister even during the fifth round of election.