Rift emerges among monarchist groups demanding royal restoration
Disagreements erupted over who should receive credit for Sunday’s large rally in Kathmandu, leading to a series of accusations between leaders.
KATHMANDU: Monarchist groups advocating for the restoration of the monarchy have begun to show signs of division.
Disagreements erupted over who should receive credit for Sunday’s large rally in Kathmandu, leading to a series of accusations between leaders.
Medical professional Durga Prasai claimed that the main credit for the demonstration should go to him, expressing anger towards Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chair Rajendra Lingden and RPP Nepal Chair Kamal Thapa.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Prasai asserted that he was responsible for creating the environment to welcome former King Gyanendra Shah, accusing other leaders of merely being opportunists.
Prasai also blamed the RPP leaders for the abolition of the monarchy, claiming their decisions during the constitution-making process were the primary reason for the removal of the royal institution. “Had the RPP leaders not signed the 2015 Constitution, the monarchy and the Hindu state would still exist,” he stated.
Claiming to be the only one capable of restoring the monarchy, Prasai urged King Gyanendra to make the right decision. “The king must understand that in this age, he won’t find an Arjun like Durga Prasai,” he said.
Prasai expressed dissatisfaction over a meeting between Lingden, Thapa, and the former king at the airport, complaining that he had been sidelined.
Despite Kathmandu Metropolitan City imposing a fine on the RPP for causing pollution after Sunday’s rally, Prasai remained displeased, alleging that while he managed the protest, others took the credit.
Meanwhile, Kamal Thapa, Chair of RPP Nepal, clarified that democracy could not be replaced by monarchy. In a statement on social media, Thapa emphasized the need to raise voices against corruption, syndicates, and lawlessness in the current system but insisted that solutions should be sought within democracy.
Thapa referred to constitutional monarchies in countries like the UK, Japan, and Norway, stating that a democracy with a monarchy is a successful model. “True democrats should not be alarmed by the presence of a king,” he wrote.
While the movement for the restoration of the monarchy gains momentum, divisions within its leadership could undermine the unity of the cause. The competition for credit appears to be threatening the movement’s cohesion.
