Govt. unfazed by rising monarchist aactivities

KATHMANDU: A pro-monarchy demonstration heated up the streets of Kathmandu on Sunday, drawing significant participation.

Leaders of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) expressed enthusiasm, claiming rising public support for the restoration of the monarchy.

Former King Gyanendra Shah received a grand welcome from his supporters as he returned to Kathmandu from Pokhara. The RPP, Nepal’s fifth-largest parliamentary party, asserted that the increasing pro-monarchy sentiment signals a warning for republican forces.

RPP Vice Chair and MP Dhurva Bahadur Pradhan clarified that the party is not immediately intensifying its movement for monarchy restoration. “We first aim to engage in dialogue with major parties. If political consensus is reached, changes can be made through constitutional amendments,” he stated.

According to RPP, the massive turnout in support of former King Shah is driven by three key factors: public endorsement of their agenda, the former king’s recent speech, and growing dissatisfaction with the government.

Following the protest, the ruling Maoist Centre postponed its planned ‘Tarai-Madhes Awakening Campaign’ to assess the situation. Maoist Vice Chair Agni Prasad Sapkota attributed the protest to misgovernance. “Both internal and external forces rejecting federalism and secularism seem active,” he remarked.

Sapkota emphasized that democracy has no alternative but further refinement. “The achievements of past struggles cannot be reversed,” he said, acknowledging that public frustration over corruption and mismanagement has fueled such demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane also commented on the situation, suggesting that the government’s poor performance might have driven pro-monarchy supporters onto the streets. “People are watching. Those protesting are not outsiders,” he stated at an event in Rupandehi.

Government’s Response

The government, however, dismissed the notion that the large crowd welcoming Gyanendra Shah was a form of pressure. Government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, stated that monarchists’ activities are not seen as a threat.

“We consider such rallies part of a democratic exercise. If they turn aggressive, we will strategize accordingly. But there is no possibility of monarchy returning to Nepal,” Gurung affirmed. He also claimed that the anti-government slogans, particularly against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ were orchestrated with a specific agenda.

While RPP leaders advocate for a fresh understanding between republicans and monarchists, Minister Gurung ruled out any discussion on reinstating the monarchy. With the monarchy debate resurfacing, analysts believe it poses a fresh challenge for the government.