Former King Gyanendra denies ties with monarchist movement leaders

KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah has claimed that he has had no contact with Navaraj Subedi, the coordinator of the recently formed monarchist alliance, ‘United People’s Movement Committee’, for several years.

The committee, established on March 17 under Subedi’s leadership, includes senior Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leaders such as Vice Chair Rabindra Mishra as secretary, and General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana as movement coordinator.

Other members include Pashupati Shamsher JBR, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, Kamal Thapa, Rajendra Lingden, Durga Prasai, Asmita Bhandari, Hari Bahadur Basnet, Keshar Bahadur Bista, and Rama Singh.

After violent clashes during a rally at Kathmandu’s Tinkune on March 28, Subedi was placed under police surveillance.

Meanwhile, on Friday, former King Gyanendra held a private lunch meeting with seven RPP leaders, during which he stated that he had not met Subedi in years.

The former monarch inquired about the March 28 protest, to which RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden clarified it was organized by the United People’s Movement Committee.

“Was this committee formed by you?” the former King reportedly asked.

RPP spokesperson Gyanendra Shahi responded by mentioning public speculation that the committee was formed at the Nirmal Niwas (the former royal residence). Surprised, the former King clarified, “I haven’t seen Navaraj Subedi in years.”

Regarding Durga Prasai, another prominent figure in the movement, Gyanendra also denied any recent interaction. When Shahi pointed out that Prasai was seen visiting Nirmal Niwas, the former King responded, “He must have come to meet one of our staff members.”

The lunch meeting was attended by Rajendra Lingden, Pashupati Shamsher Rana, Prakash Chandra Lohani, Buddhi Man Tamang, Bikram Pandey, Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, and Gyanendra Shahi.