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- By Parinda News Bureau, April 14, 12:22 IST
Khatmandu: Due to domestic and intenational pressure, Nepal King Gyanendra has decided to hold general elections in the country and has invited all political parties to join in a dialogue process for the restoration of democracy.
''It is our desire that with the active participation of all the political parties committed to peace and democracy, a meaningful exercise in multi-party democracy be initiated through the exemplary democratic exercise like the general elections,'' the king said in his message to the nation on the occasion of the Nepali New Year 2063.
Observing that there was no alternative to democracy in the 21st century and that the verdict of the ballot alone was legitimate, the king stressed on the need of holding election in his message although he refrained from announcing any dates for the polls.
Without referring to the demonstrations against the monarchy, King Gyanendra said, ''We call upon all political parties to join in a dialogue, which we have always advocated, to bear the responsibility of and contribute towards activating the multiparty democratic polity.''
Without mentioning the Maoists in his address, the king shunned extremism and said it had no place in democracy.
Whether this move is to buy time or a sincere commitment will become clear soon.
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