MPs Seek Control Over Former King’s Activities On Sunday, members of the National Assembly reached the Parliament building in New Baneshwor, bypassing a rally organized to welcome former King Gyanendra Shah.
When leaders who fought for the end of the monarchy had to interrupt the rallies organized in their favour and go to the Parliament building, their feelings were evident in the opinions expressed in the meeting. Speaking during zero and subject time, they sought government control over the expressions and activities of former King Gyanendra Shah. They sought the views of political parties.
“After a long struggle, sacrifice, historic Madhesh uprising, people’s movement and people’s war, and the movements of various ethnic groups, we have achieved a federal democratic republic after much hardship. There are voices against this on the streets. The government should fulfil its responsibility in this,” Khalid urges.
He also urged political parties to clarify their positions while the government is fulfilling its responsibilities. ‘Political parties should clarify their positions – what do they want?’ Khalid says, ‘Even if they come in front, snakes will not hide.’ The people are closely observing the situation. Attention should be paid to this.’
Khalid suggests that the royalists should move forward by respecting the Constitution. ‘If a federal democratic republic is not needed, what is needed? Do you want regression?’ Khalid asks.
He thinks that if regression is desired, it cannot be achieved. He advises the royalists to move forward with an agenda that will change the situation of the people.
Every year, on the eve of Democracy Day, former King Gyanendra has been extending his best wishes. While extending his best wishes, on 6 Falgun this year, Gyanendra had interpreted giving up power as a sacrifice. He had warned political parties not to consider giving up the throne as a weakness.
Jag Prasad Sharma, a member of parliament from the CPN-Maoist Center, calls this move by the RPP an anarchist activity that attacks the republic. “This (monarchist demonstration) is an anti-constitutional, anti-system, anti-federalist activity, why is the government not able to control this anarchy?” Sharma asked.
“The current political parties have to clear their names,” he says. “Isn’t this the result of some kind of old remnant, such as Baby King, World King, or Youth King? Or is there some kind of unholy, indirect alliance between this trend and that regressive trend?”
Maoist MP Sharma adds, ‘This is the confidence that must be given to the citizens – the alternative to the republic is not a monarchy. The alternative to the constitution is not going back to regression.’
Another Maoist MP Suresh Ale Magar also has doubts about the parties in power.
‘On the one hand, those who are stirring up the ghosts of monarchy, on the other hand, who are the ones who are in charge of the state power of this country, who were initially hesitant and afraid to bring in a monarchy. Sometimes they said baby monarchy, sometimes ceremonial monarchy,’ MP Magar recalled the end of the monarchy.
Those who said that the monarchy should be destroyed and a republic should be established, they would say, “Would you like to ride a horse and go to America?” They would say. Is this (the demonstration of the royalists) just a coincidence when such people are in power or are the ghosts of the monarchy being encouraged by such people (those who say that a republic cannot come to Nepal)? Are they being inspired?’
Otherwise, he urges the parties in power to clarify their understanding and behaviour regarding Gyanendra Shah.
Those who said that the monarchy should be destroyed and a republic should be established, they would say, “Would you like to ride a horse and go to America?” They would say. Is this (the demonstration of the royalists) just a coincidence when such people are in power or are the ghosts of the monarchy being encouraged by such people (those who say that a republic cannot come to Nepal)? Are they being inspired?’
Otherwise, he urges the parties in power to clarify their understanding and behaviour regarding Gyanendra Shah.
“The monarchy that we defeated and brought to the grave as a disaster for the Nepali people is crumbling. That is why political instability is being created. Unnecessary slogans are being chanted on the streets,” she said. “I would like to appeal to everyone to be vigilant so as not to lose the rights we have acquired.”
National People’s Front MP Tul Prasad Sharma suggests that the anti-republican movement has gained ground due to the government. He says, “Monarchy cannot be an alternative to the republic. However, the reason for this (pro-monarchist demonstrations) is that the parties in power are unable to listen to the voice of the people.”
To reduce the former king’s activism and anti-establishment voices, the government should move forward by holding the constitution on its head, not in its hands, says Nepali Congress MP Yubaraj Sharma.
“The answer to rightism, liberalism, and hypocritical populism is progressivism, accountability, and idealism. Drawing attention to this, I would like to say to the government – the growing dissatisfaction of the people should be addressed by holding the constitution on its head, not in its hands.”
If this happens, he believes, the anti-establishment sentiment will automatically fade away. According to Sharma, this requires consensus and cooperation among republican parties. MP Sharma suggests, ‘(Against monarchist activities) … I expect maximum initiative for consensus among constitutionalist political parties.’