Saturday, April 22 2006 15:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Maintaining that King Gyanendra's offer to give executive power to political parties was a 'maneouvre' to retain effective power, the CPI(M) today (Apr 22, 2006) asked the UPA government to heed to the Nepali people's will to establish a constituent assembly.

The crucial step, in regard to the massive popular movement in the Himalayan nation aimed at full restoration of democracy, was to set up a constituent assembly and this was also part of the 12-point agreement between the seven-party alliance and the Maoists in Nepal, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said.

"Only the people of Nepal can decide the nature of the political system they wish to have in the country. Popular sovereignty will be expressed through the ConstituentAssembly. The UPA government would do well to heed the wishes of the people of Nepal", it said.

Observing that the King had announced readiness to hand over 'executive power' to political parties after being faced with mounting revolt, the Left party said, "This is a manoeuvre intended to retain effective powers, including control of the armed forces as per the old Constitution".

"The political parties have rightly rejected this face-saving gesture", the CPI(M) said.