Accuses parties of violating agreement
Six weeks after Nepal’ Constituent Assembly (CA) expired without delivering a constitution, Nepal’s last monarch Gyanendra Shah has said he wants to be the king again. Mr. Shah expressed his desire in an interview to a private television channel. The CA had abolished the monarchy at its first sitting in May 2008.
Mr. Shah’s claim rests on what he says was a private agreement with the leaders of political parties on April 24, 2006 — the final day of the People’s Movement. On that night, after 19 days of street protests, the king conceded that sovereignty lay with the people, not the crown, and accepted the roadmap of the political parties to bring about peace and democracy.
Mr. Shah said, “At that time, there were many written agreements shared with the then seven-Party Alliance [fighting for democracy]. Each word was negotiated. It was clear. What was needed was peace and if parties were willing to take that burden, I did not have any difficulty.”
Adding that the monarchy’s exit was not a part of the agreement, Mr. Shah said, “I don’t know where that came from. It had reinstatement of Parliament, appointment of the PM from among the parties, and revival of constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy. I did not have a problem with that. It was a three or four point agreement.” Asked how the situation changed, the former king said, “Perhaps when it became eight I think.” This referred to the entry of the Maoists as the additional political force, besides the then mainstream seven parties.
Asked if he wanted to assume an active role, Mr Shah said, “No”. The follow up question was if he wished to assume leadership of a guardian as a king again, the reply was, “Yes. That is much better.” Political parties across the spectrum and sections of the media, criticised Mr. Shah for his statement.
Prime Minister Bhattarai said, “The former king does not seem to have learnt any lessons. He will lose whatever facility he is getting.”
Nepali Congress general secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, a key negotiator during the final days of the People’s Movement, rejected the contention that there was any “agreement” with the king. “This is a lie. His remarks are outrageous and objectionable and I challenge him to provide proof of any deal. He is dreaming.”
Keywords: Nepal politics
I totally agree with K. Sirtung. Gyanendra and the whole system of monarchy was staunch defender of 'bahunbaad'(one caste (bahun) hegemony) in Nepal. Some bahun chhetri still hopes to reinstate this man as king so that they could be cocooned abound him and exploit the people again. Now, they have blamed India for abducting king which is indeed a baseless claim. Their much blustered patriotism at this hour is nothing more than bahunbaadi agenda with which they would intend to oppress the ethnic and marginalized communities. However, these communities ; the adivashi janajati, madheshi and dalit will fight against any attempt to bring the king back.
Gyanendra Shah is in utter daydream! His reverie for 'majestic' comeback to the throne is nothing more than miscalculation of Nepalese people's aspiration for REPUBLICAN nation. Unfortunately, he and his entourages seem blind to the ground reality. While estimating to fish in the murky political scenario, he has made a bid for the 'guardianship'. But, whose guardian? For two centuries, monarchy in Nepal did worse than anything. It induced social injustice; inequality, discrimination, oppression and marginalization of communities, and what not. Nepalese people have not forgotten his atrocity; the coup, let alone the long trenched mystery of royal massacre or the 'fratricides'.
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