Maoists' 22-point demands were legitimate, says Amik Sherchan People's Front Nepal (PFN) chairman Amik Sherchan remarked that Maoists' "exodus" from the government has added "new difficulties" in institutionalising the achievements of People's Movement II and fulfil the mandate given by the people through it, but also said the Maoists were left with no option than this. Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters in Tinkune Wednesday, chairman Sherchan said the 22-point pre-requisites set by the Maoists for continuing in the government were very much legitimate. Chairman Sherchan further said there is still some possibility left to make the Maoists participate in the Constituent Assembly (CA) election and that the seven political parties should take the required initiatives for it. Saying that the demands for PR-based electoral system and declaring the country a republic through the interim parliament – both of which feature high on the 22 point pre-requisite of the Maoists - were first raised by People's Front Nepal, chairman Sherchan said it was unfortunate to see the Maoists failing to convince the coalition partners to approve it while there was still time. "The Maoists were left with no option but to launch a programme of strong protests to establish a republic because Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala hesitated to express his commitment towards republicanism," he added. nepalnews.com ag Sep 19 07 Related news - UNMIN urges parties to find a way out of current stalemate - Maoists quit govt; announce protest movement