Red flag of Communists to flutter atop Mt Everest

The red flag of the Communists, signed by Maoist chief Prachanda, will flutter atop the world's highest peak if two expedition teams make it to the Mt Everest summit this summer.

Two Nepalese expeditions to the Mt. Everest will be carrying the red flag of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to plant on the peak if they are able to make it to the top.

Last week Nepali climber Pem Sherpa, who is intending to climb the peak this summer, met Prachanda and had him autograph the party flag. Sherpa will be carrying the flag with him during his climb to the world's highest point.

Another Nepalese expedition, called the Democratic Everest Expedition, will see six mountaineers, including legendary 16-time Everest climber Ang Rita Sherpa, attempting the peak.

He is climbing the Everest with other half a dozen record-holding climbers. The Democratic Everest Expedition will be carrying the Maoist flag along with the flags of the seven-party ruling alliance.

In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, the first conquerers of the Everest, hoisted the flags of Nepal, India and New Zealand on top of the Everest making history.

Since then almost 2,000 people have climbed the Everest.

The expeditions come at a time the two biggest Communist parties -- CPN-Maoist and the CPN-UML -- are determined to install red flag in the Narayanhiti Royal Palace by abolishing the monarchy through voting in Interim parliament.

The CPN-UML has proposed abolishing monarchy through an impeachment motion to be passed by two third votes in parliament while the Maoists are aiming to do the same through a parliament declaration without waiting for the constituent assembly polls.

Nepal government has decided to replace King Gyanendra's picture from its currency notes with the denominations of Rs 1,000, Rs 500. The Rs 10 denomination notes will have the picture of Mt. Everest.