Prachanda’s remarks ignite monarchist fury, image burned in protest

KATHMANDU: The political divide between republican parties and monarchist factions in Nepal is growing more intense, with both sides becoming increasingly aggressive toward each other.

Recent developments indicate that this conflict is likely to escalate further.

On Feb 19, former King Gyanendra Shah made a video message from Pokhara on the occasion of Democracy Day, and on March 9, he participated in a welcome rally in Kathmandu. These actions have sparked harsh criticism from republican parties.

Leaders from the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN-UML, and CPN (Unified Socialist) have openly expressed their discontent with Gyanendra.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Chair of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister, criticized Gyanendra during a party event in Sindhupalchowk, accusing him of involvement in the 2001 royal massacre and gold smuggling.

Prachanda, who had been the Prime Minister in 2008, stated that while he had sought an investigation into the royal massacre, it was not possible due to the instability of the government at the time.

Prachanda went further, claiming that Gyanendra should be held accountable for his actions, saying, “The people of Nepal must not forget who the murderer, the thief, and the gold smuggler was.” According to Prachanda, Gyanendra was the mastermind behind the royal massacre in 2001.

In response, monarchist groups have shown equal outrage. Gyanendra Shah, the chief whip of the RPP, accused Prachanda of benefiting the most from the royal massacre. Shah claimed that Prachanda had conspired with foreign powers to bring down the Shah dynasty and had blood on his hands from the Maoist insurgency.

In protest, a picture of Prachanda was burned during a Democratic National Youth Organization conference in Hetauda. The conference’s central secretary, Nirajan Bam Patala, expressed his anger by burning the image of Prachanda, blaming him for the deaths of thousands of Nepalese during the Maoist insurgency.

Meanwhile, monarchist supporters demonstrated in front of the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on Saturday, claiming that the monarchy will soon be restored. Protesters from Samakhushi arrived in a motorcycle rally and demanded that the palace be vacated, declaring that the king would soon return to power.

The growing tensions between republican and monarchist forces suggest that this conflict could reach even greater heights in the coming days, as both sides continue to push their agendas in the volatile political landscape of Nepal.