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| India-Pakistan |
| Nepal assembly sworn in, to abolish monarchy |
| 2008-05-28 |
| KATHMANDU - A newly elected assembly that will rewrite Nepal's constitution was sworn in on Tuesday, one day before the Maoist-dominated body is expected to abolish the monarchy. "This is an epoch-making day,' Maoist leader Prachanda, who is slated to head the country's next government, told reporters before entering the conference centre to be sworn in. 'For the past 50 years people have been fighting for this,' said Prachanda. 'From tomorrow, the institution of the monarchy will formally come to an end.' Political leaders said the assembly will dissolve the impoverished country's 240-year-old monarchy and sack the unpopular King Gyanendra when it holds its first session on Wednesday. Minutes after the swearing-in ceremony, the king was seen leaving the palace in a small convoy of three vehicles. The king was driving himself and Queen Komal in a black Mercedes sedan, an AFP reporter at the palace gates said. The palace press secretariat said it did not know where the king was going, or if he was leaving for good -- in line with Maoist demands he vacate the palace. 'The only people who would know where he is going are his security detail,' a palace official said. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 No worry... Prachanda will be the eternal emperor.. |
| Posted by: john frum 2008-05-28 15:55 |