Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has claimed that some forces were active of late to undermine the republic and it was up to the students and young people to prevent the nation from slipping into regression.

Addressing the meeting of the office-bearers of All Nepal Independent Students Union Revolutionary at the CPN (Maoist Centre) headquarters in Peris Danda, Kathmandu, on Thursday, the prime minister and the chairman of the Maoist party urged the student leaders to remain vigilant of all regressive activities. Dahal was apparently hinting at the recent activities and remarks of former king Gyanendra Shah.

Prime Minister Dahal also instructed the student leaders of his party to prepare for the upcoming Free Students’ Union election slated for February 25.

The results of the election will be a barometer for the national elections, he said, urging the ANNISU-R leadership to prepare for the FSU poll with a victory in mind.

The FSU poll is taking place after a gap of eight years.