Deposed King Gyanendra Stretches The Truth

On Feb. 19, 2007, the deposed King Gyanendra dared to come out strongly in his message to the nation [1] crediting his grandfather Tribhuvan for the democracy brought by the people in the early 1950s, and justifying his takeover of power on Feb. 01, 2005, stating it was the people’s aspirations. Telling all these things to the Nepalese people, Gyanendra certainly stretched the truth. His father Mahendra did the same thing to takeover the power from the then-elected government in 1960 and continued his repressive regime causing the tremendous loss of development opportunities to the Nepalese people. Gyanendra is the last remnant of the Shah dynasty. He had committed the crimes against the Nepalese people putting the political clock back for 15 months of his direct rule from Feb. 01, 2005 to April 24, 2006. Gyanendra should be put on trial and should be brought to justice for all the crimes he has committed. If the current Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala does not take actions against Gyanendra, then the interim legislators should impeach him too. The recent political speech of Brigadier Dilip SJB Rana and the Gyanendra’s message to the nation on Feb. 19, 2007 are the direct successive results of the Prime Minister Koirala’s determination to save the monarchy at any cost, and his reluctance to give autonomy to the ethnic communities, proportional representation of all Nepalis to the legislature, and federalization of Nepal.

In the message addressed to the nation, Gyanendra has given the credit for the people’s struggle against the Rana regime to his grandfather King Tribhuvan and himself, stating “the joint struggle launched by the King and the people”. The truth was his grandfather Tribhuvan seized the opportunity of continuing the Shah dynasty at the cost of the people’s struggle when he saw that the people’s fight against the tyrannical Ranas was about to be a success, and then he jumped on the bandwagon of the revolutionary people in 1950; thus he was an opportunist not a revolutionist as Gyanendra portrayed him. To get back the power lost to the Ranas by his forefathers, grandfather Tribhuvan committed to hold an election for a Constituent Assembly that would craft a constitution of democratic Nepal in return; but he never kept his commitment. To such a king, Gyanendra crediting as “the architect of democracy in Nepal” is totally stretching the truth.

Gyanendra’s message said, “Nepal's glorious history is guided by the fact that Monarchy has always abided by the aspirations of the Nepalese people.” This is not true without a shadow of a doubt. The Nepal’s history of the Shah period had never been glorious because the history of Shah Dynasty was full of subjugating Nepalese people in general and ethnic people in particular causing the shameful poverty, illiteracy and inequality among the people. Nepalis had never aspired for living in the perpetual poverty under the Shah King’s rule. The Shah Kings were the ruin of the Nepalese people.

“It is clear that the prevailing situation compelled us to take the February 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration to reactivate the elected bodies by maintaining law and order following the dissolution of the House of Representatives at the recommendation of the elected Prime Minister of the day, who was unable to conduct general elections within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution.” Stating such a grossly incorrect message, Gyanendra attempted to justify his unconstitutional act of staging a coup on Feb 01, 2005. Nothing had compelled him to take over the people’s power. He was responsible for the loss of the billions of rupees worth of businesses caused by snapping the telephone lines for a full week, and then intermittently for about six months after the Feb-01-2007 coup. Why the current government did not charge him for such a criminal act? Gyanendra was responsible not only for the loss of the private business but also for putting the lives of Nepalese people in severe difficulty for months. How dare he say his taking over the power was the people’s aspiration? As usual, the Shah Kings were pretenders and betrayers. He charged the elected Prime Minister for not being able to hold elections but he was equally responsible for it. We do not want such a Shah King, the current government should immediately declare Nepal a republic, and remove Gyanendra from the palace he has been illegally residing so far, and bring him to justice for so many criminal acts he has committed against the Nepalese people.

Legislators of the Interim Legislature of Nepal have labeled Gyanendra’s Feb-19-2007 message as unconstitutional, unauthorized and undemocratic, and said it went against the people’s aspirations demonstrated in the people’s movement in April 2006; and the government should take actions against Gyanendra, and inform the legislature about it. General Secretary of the Nepali Congress (NC), Ram Chandra Poudel along with other 10 legislators put forward the motion for the actions. Legislators belonging to even the political parties such as NC, and Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC-D) that always stood for a ceremonial monarch have raised voices against the Gyanendra’s message and said the monarchy was an obstacle to democracy and should be abolished. Many legislators of the Interim Legislature demanded that the interim Legislature should declare Nepal a republic. [2]

For the first time in the Nepal's history, the parliament has asked the government to take actions against the King. Terming the Democracy Day message by King Gyanendra as "unconstitutional, unauthorized and undemocratic" the parliament has unanimously passed a resolution directing the government to take necessary actions against the King. Reacting to the demands made by the parliamentarians, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said, “The Prime Minister will take necessary decisions after discussing with eight party leaders.” Speaking at the parliament, Home Minister Sitaula further said, "It has been our commitment to hold free and fair elections for a Constituent Assembly. The King has initiated efforts to pose obstruction in holding the elections. The government will move ahead by defeating such efforts.” Stating the parliament has called for actions against the King for the first time in the Nepal's history, Sitaula said the government drew its strength and inspiration from the supreme parliament. The resolution brought into debate at the Interim Legislature stated that the King's statement challenged the democratic change in the country and demanded actions against the King for the statement. The Nepali Congress put forward the resolution and nine other parties in the parliament supported it. It was later unanimously passed by all the parties in the interim parliament. [3]

The "Proposal of Public Importance," unanimously passed in the Interim parliament stated the king's February-19 statement was unconstitutional, unauthorized and undemocratic. The legislators participating in the discussion on the proposal strongly demanded the sovereign interim parliament immediately declare Nepal a republic and eliminate the monarchy. NC legislator Ram Chandra Poudel presenting the proposal said democracy and monarchy were always antithetical. "Monarchy always believes in violence and conspiracy, and it has developed them as its culture to remain in power," he said. "The monarchy should be uprooted to take the country to the path of progress," he said, adding that the government must immediately seize all other facilities provided to the monarch. Eleven legislators representing nine political parties including NC, NC-D, CPN-UML Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Rastriya Janashakti Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party-Anandidevi and others backed the proposal. [4]

On Feb. 20, 2007, inaugurating the first national convention of Nepal Book and Stationery Entrepreneurs' Association in Pokhara, Speaker of the Interim Legislature, Subash Chandra Nembang termed the king Gyanendra's message to the nation on the Democracy Day was unauthorized and unconstitutional; only the Parliament has the right to give such a message. "The king has tried to revert to the regressive steps of Feb. 01, 2005 in the name of the people," he said adding, "Gyanendra did not understand that millions of people had come to the street to defy his regressive move. What came as the message to the nation was only his personal expression,” Speaker Nembang said. "People have now become sovereign and the people's movement has reinstated the parliament," said Speaker Nembang. [5]

On Feb. 20, 2007, inaugurating the 16th National Conference of All Nepal National Free Students Union (United), Deputy Prime Minister Amik Serchan said that the message from the king on the Democracy Day was his reactionary and personal thought and it had not come with the approval of the government. He said, "The government is alert about the matter and planning to take necessary decision. The Interim Constitution has not provided the king with any right to deliver such message so it is unconstitutional and we will take actions against the king who made the unconstitutional statement." The message from the king has proved that the statement made by an army officer in Pokhara sometimes ago had come under the instruction of the king, he said. "First we need to end the monarchy right now and the people would decide on the type of republicanism they wish to establish," he said. [6]

Spokesperson for CPN-Maoist, Krishna Bahadur Mahara said, “the series of statements from the army officer and the king had compelled everybody to think seriously; the activities of the king show that he wants to be active; and the political leaders are guilty for not taking actions against the king." Spokesperson Mahara added, "Republicanism is the primary agenda of the CPN-Maoist and forming the interim government is secondary." “The king would be more active if we delay the process of declaring Nepal a federal democratic republic,” said Mahara. [7]

Standing committee member of Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML), Yuba Raj Gyawali said, “the leaders should proceed ahead to reach a conclusion on the fate of monarchy drawing implication from the king's address to the nation.” Objecting over the Prime Minister's reservations on the king's message, he asked the Prime Minister to declare Nepal a republic immediately. [8]

NC leader Narahari Acharya said that the government should take the responsibility for the king's message; the message cannot stop the establishment of a republic and the election for a constituent assembly. He said. "The government should take actions against the King." [9]

A press statement issued by the party on Feb. 20, 2007, the NC strongly protested the king's message to the nation given on the 57th Democracy Day, stating that the message had disrespected the Popular Movement launched by the people against regression. The king made an ill-intended attempt to justify his Feb-01 move arguing that the dictatorial and retrogressive step had been taken according to the popular aspiration of the people, the press statement said. "The objectionable and unauthorized message revealed the state of mind of the king and indicated the possibility of another conspiracy that could be hatched." The Nepali Congress appeals to all the democratic forces, the government and all concerned to remain alert and warn against such conspiratorial designs, the press release said. [10]

The Nepal Tamang National Federation (NTNF) said that the king's message was a conspiracy to break the alliance of the seven political parties with the Maoists and abort the constituent assembly elections. It has also appealed to the government and the Maoists for forming an interim government and holding the election for a constituent assembly making proportional representation of all sections of the society. All Nepal National Free Students' Union (ANNFSU) also in a press statement said that it burnt king Gyanendra in an effigy joining hands with ANNFSU (United) as the symbol of a protest against the king's message issued on the Democracy Day. Society for Democratic Thinking said that the king's message was a breach of the Interim Constitution and against the people's mandate expressed during the People's Movement in April 2006. Denouncing the statement of the king, Nepal Bar Association urged the political parties and the civil society to take the statement seriously, as it was against the nation and the people and an attempt by the King to hide his past mistakes. National Dalit Confederation-Nepal appealed to all to remain alert against the conspiracies that could be hatched against the hard-earned democracy. [11]

On Feb. 20, 2007, Civil Movement for Loktantra and Peace-2063 BS staged a sit-in at the southern gate of Singh Durbar (government secretariat), Kathmandu in protest against the King’s message issued on the occasion of the 57th Democracy Day. The participants including Convener of the movement Dr Devendra Raj Pandey, President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Bishnu Nishthuri, active civil society cadres such as Krishna Pahadi, Malla K. Sundar and Purushottam Dahal staged a demonstration holding placards that read “ensure the civil unity”, “declare the democratic republic” at the sit-in. During the sit-in, a street-drama was staged condemning the statement of the King and demonstrating the king’s message as dishonor to immortal martyrs and the Jana Andolan-II. They also deplored the government’s dilly-dallying process of not controlling such activities that went against the will of people. [12]

Hundreds of youth activists and members of civil society organizations have been out in the streets, demanding that the Himalayan kingdom be immediately declared a republican state. The immediate provocation for this agitation was the statement by King Gyanendra, made in his ‘Democracy Day’ message. The King’s intent was apparent; he was trying to undermine the democratic process by sowing seeds of suspicion about the government and invoking nostalgia for his rule. The seven parties joined hands to form the interim government but has not fully settled yet. The role of the Maoists in the government, too, remained unresolved. Ordinary Nepalis were waiting to see results. They might be happy that the King was gone, but that by itself was not enough; they wanted good governance. An uncertain situation is perfect for the king to fish in troubled waters. By playing upon the insecurities of the people, the king was trying to whip up a sense of nostalgia and sending out a message that political parties, known for their fractious ways and corruption, were not the best solution for a poor country like Nepal. It was up to the parties to prove him wrong. [13]

The Feb-18 statement on the eve of the Democracy Day by King Gyanendra was an ill-intentioned attempt to justify his takeover of power on Feb. 01, 2005. The statement goes directly against the people's desires for a lasting peace through holding the free and fair elections for the Constituent Assembly. The Nepalese public recognizes King Gyanendra as an autocrat who does not believe in the constitutional rule. Having already shown his malicious intent defying the Constitution of Nepal of 1990, he has once again stepped on the Interim Constitution adopted after the restoration of democracy. We believe that the responsibility for taking actions against the king for his statement falls upon the Government of Nepal and the Interim Legislature that has the overwhelming participation of the “eight parties”. At a time when the Prime Minister holds the responsibilities of the Head of State; and the king has been denied any role or power under the Interim Constitution, we find the king has been grossly irresponsible for issuing the statement of Feb. 18. Such an ill-intentioned action by the king has made more tenuous the already-fluid transitional political situation in the country. Keeping in mind the past acts of the king, and his continuing attempts to push further to the crisis in the country that has geared up for the elections for a Constituent Assembly, we request the legislature and seven-party government to take the following actions.

1) Remove the king from the government residence at Narayanhiti where he currently resides.

2) Immediately wrest the title of “king” from Gyanendra.

3) Forbid all public actions, statements and travel by the king."

Signatories: Nilamber Acharya, Sushil Pyakurel, Nabindra Raj Joshi and Kanak Mani Dixit [14]

Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal, Anup Raj Sharma suggested the Prime Minister for clarifying the government’s stance on the Democracy-Day message of King Gyanendra. During his meeting with Justice Sharma on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that he did not have any information about the King’s message and added that he was surprised to hear about the King’s message. Stating the King’s message was illegal, Justice Sharma suggested the Prime Minister for clarifying the government’s stance on the message to the public. Justice Sharma further said that the Prime Minister has been acting as the Head of State and there is no provision made in the constitution for the role of the King in the state affairs, the King should not give such a message without the approval of the cabinet. According to Justice Sharma, the government should inform the people after interrogating the King in which capacity he has issued the message. [15]

On Feb 20, 2007, students affiliated to eight political parties continued demonstrations protesting against the king’s Democracy-Day remarks, across the country. In Biratnagar, students belonging to All Nepal National Independent Students Union - Revolutionary (ANNISU-R), the Maoist student wing, took out a protest procession. Participants demolished the statue of late king Mahendra, the father of the current king at the Mahendra Chowk and the crown pillar erected at the Roadshesh Chowk in Biratnagar. ANNISU-R supporters also chanted slogans demanding immediate declaration of Nepal a democratic republic and actions against the "royalists" following the recommendation made by the Rayamajhi Commission. Similarly, student organizations affiliated to eight political parties held a demonstration in Diktel of the Khotang District. The procession began at Diktel Multiple Campus and ended at Haatdanda. The students cautioned political parties against the king's speech and to move ahead cautiously. A rally was also organized in Itahari of the Sunsari District. Demonstrators also blocked the East West Highway for one hour. Chanting harsh slogans against king Gyanendra, the students demanded a republican setup in the country immediately. Cadres of People's Front Nepal (PFN) also held a protest rally at various places in the district. Such protests were also reported in Tarahara, Duhabi, Sonapur, and other towns of the Sunsari and Morang Districts. In Banepa of the Kavre District, student demonstrators protesting against the king's speech knocked down the statue of late king Tribhuvan at the main Chowk. They went around the city chanting callous slogans against the king, and later converged into a corner meeting at the crossroads. District level student leaders also demanded immediate announcement of a democratic republic. [16]

On Feb 20, 2007, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala held a series of meetings with the Indian envoy, Nepal Army Chief and Supreme Court justice, obviously for discussing about the king’s address to the nation on the eve of the Democracy Day, delivered without the approval of and notice to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Koirala had a half-hour-long meeting with Indian Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee at the Prime Minister’s residence, Baluwatar, and their discussion focused on the king’s address, the ongoing peace process, and the interim government. Prime Minister Koirala also had a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff Rukmangad Katuwal ostensibly a regular one but obviously for a serious discussion on the meaning and significance of the king’s message to the nation. Prime Minister Koirala had discussions with the Supreme Court Justice, Anup Raj Sharma on the constitutional parameters of the king's address to the nation and the amendment to the Interim Constitution. [17]

On Feb. 25, 2007, speaking at the special hour in the Interim Legislature, Chairman of Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party and the member of the Interim Legislature, Narayan Man Bijukchhe accused the government of preparing the draft of the Democracy Day message of king Gyanendra. “I am sure the draft was prepared by the government. So I don’t believe any answer by any minister to the parliament,” he said. Bijukchhe demanded Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s clarification on the issue. He claimed that the king’s message was prepared by the same people who had drafted the April-24-2006 royal proclamation that revived the House of Representatives. Bijukchhe said the proclamation was prepared with the consent of top leaders of major parties. Members of other major political parities in the Interim Legislature were demanding that the government take actions against the king for his Democracy Day message and must act on the Rayamajhi report. He expressed surprise how the same people once were the ministers of the royal cabinet have been demanding republican set-up in the country. “How can they talk about a republican set-up?” Bijukchhe asked. He also said: “The four major political parities have been imposing autocracy in the parliament.” On February 21, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula had told the House that the king had issued the message without the consent of the government and actions would be taken against him following the decision of top leaders of the eight parties. [18] Up until March 04, 2007, none of the top leaders charged by Bijukchhe had refuted his claims.

On Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, legislators condemned the government for not implementing the decision on taking actions against the king passed by the Interim Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, and demanded the decision be implemented immediately and declare the country a republic. Speaking during the special hour in the legislature, Legislator Bamdev Gautam of the CPN-UML accused the government of not showing commitment to carrying out actions against the king. Another legislator Pradeep Nepal of the CPN-UML demanded that the parliament direct the government to take actions against the king immediately and publicize the report prepared by the Rayamajhi commission within one week. Legislator Chitra Bahadur K.C. of Jana Morcha Nepal commented that the government was “fooling” the parliament by not implementing its decision on taking actions against the king. Labeling the government’s inability to call a meeting of the Council of Ministers to take actions against the king for his message, Legislator Khadga Bahadur B.K of the CPN-Maoist said that the government should immediately take a decision on ending the monarchy for good, declare Nepal a federal republic, and take actions against the king. Legislator Kaman Singh Lama of Jana Morcha Nepal called for the declaration of a republican to be set up by amending the Interim Constitution. [19]

Talking to Nepalese journalists in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 26, 2007, with reference to the king's Democracy Day message, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana said, "We had protested the king's Feb-01 step then also and we still stick to that." Casting doubt on the government's policy, Rana said the government never brought out its view in public despite Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula making stern remarks on the king's Democracy Day speech. "Did the message come in accordance with the government’s policy? If not, the government must make its policy on this matter public," said Rana. Expressing anger at the king, Rana stated his party has suffered the most in recent days. "The king has not harmed any other party as he did us. Our party was divided into three and a campaign was run against us," Rana said, adding, "But we never deviated from our democratic stream. The seven parties and the Maoists have established an autocratic system by not adopting a system of opposition in the parliament." [20]

Responding to the uproar in the Interim Legislature for not taking actions against the king, a cabinet meeting, held at the Prime Minister's official residence, Baluwatar on Feb. 26, 2007, termed the king's speech addressed to the nation on the occasion of the 57th Democracy Day as unconstitutional, unauthorized and anti-democratic, and decided to punish him following the decision of the eight political parties. "The meeting strongly objected the king's message and decided to take a political action against him," State Minister for Information and Communications and spokesman for the government, Dilendra Prasad Badu told journalists after the meeting. State Minister Badu said that the cabinet had entrusted the responsibility for preparing a modality of actions against the monarch to the eight political parties. He noted that the king did not consult the cabinet for giving his controversial message to the nation. The government has respected the interaction of the legislators to take necessary actions against the king, he said. [21]

On March 02, 2007, during the meeting with the Prime Minister, Maoists’ Supreme Leader Prachanda asked Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to immediately abolish the monarchy and convert Nepal into a republic through a Parliamentary declaration. However, Prime Minister Koirala outright rejected the request for a republic. [22] If Nepalis really want Nepal to be a public they need to fight against the regressive forces such as the senior leaders of the NC and NC-D that have been diehard supporters of the monarchy. They have formed a shield against the Nepalis fighting for justice, and have been for preserving the monarchy that had been the ruin of Nepalese people for 238 years of their discriminatory rule in Nepal.

When Nepalis were celebrating the end of the dictatorial regime, and the dawn of democracy on Feb. 19, 2007, the deposed King Gyanendra dared to raise his head and deliver the address to the nation. He has no constitutional rights to do so. However, he wanted to feel the pulses of the Nepalese people, and then attempt to redeem his power lost to the eight political parties. The immediate reactions of the Nepalese people to his address to the nation indicated that Nepalis did not want the monarchy anymore. So, Gyanendra would be better-off leaving the palace that belongs to the public, and living as a commoner. However, he has been enjoying the palace life because of the senior leaders of the NC and NC-D.

Footnotes

[1] Text of the Message to the Nation from King Gyanendra on the 57th Anniversary of the National Democracy Day

Beloved countrymen:

Today, the 57th National Democracy Day, reminds us of the joint struggle launched by the King and the people, culminating in the successful restoration of the people's rights. On this historic day, we pay homage to our august grandfather His late Majesty King Tribhuvan, the architect of democracy in Nepal, and all the brave martyrs who laid down their lives for this cause.

Nepal's glorious history is guided by the fact that Monarchy has always abided by the aspirations of the Nepalese people, on whom sovereignty is vested. It is clear that the prevailing situation compelled us to take the February 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration to reactivate the elected bodies by maintaining law and order following the dissolution of the House of Representatives at the recommendation of the elected Prime Minister of the day, who was unable to conduct general elections within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution. Subsequent governments, too, were not successful in this task. Various obstacles thwarted our resolve to install elected representative bodies. We are also morally responsible for any success or failure during the 15 month effort. As our sole wish is that the people should govern themselves through their own elected representatives, it is well known that we reinstated the House of Representatives on April 24, 2006 with the confidence that the nation would forge ahead on the path to national unity and prosperity, while ensuring permanent peace and safeguarding multiparty democracy.

In order to consolidate multiparty democracy, elected representative bodies must be installed, taking into consideration, in a mature manner, the grievances, aspirations and sentiments of all the Nepalese to the satisfaction of all. Nepal is a kaleidoscope of diverse peoples - be they indigenous, dalits or those living in villages, cities, terai, hills or the mountainous regions. It will do well to remember that Nepal's sovereignty and integrity remains safeguarded only because all have accepted and abided by this reality. The Nepalese people alone are the arbitrators of their own destiny and they wish to build a prosperous Nepal through a meaningful exercise in multiparty democracy. The self-respecting Nepalese people have an unshakable belief that one's unique identity can be upheld only by respecting one's history.

While upholding the people's wish as supreme, may this day inspire all to remain dedicated, through multiparty democracy, to the greater welfare of Nepal and her people by ensuring their concurrence and active participation.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!

Jaya Nepal! (American chronicle, Feb. 20, 2007)

[2] The Hindu, Feb. 22, 2007, “Gyanendra faces action” by Ameet Dhakal

[3] Nepalnews.com mk/sd Feb 21 06, “House asks govt to take action against King; Sitaula says PM will take necessary decision”

[4] All Headline News, “Nepal's Interim Parliament Asks Govt. To Take Action against King”, Feb. 21, 2007.

[5] The Rising Nepal, “King's statement unauthorized: Speaker”, Feb. 21, 2007

[6] The Rising Nepal, “Serchan: Govt will take action against King” Feb. 21, 2007.

[7] The Rising Nepal, “Serchan: Govt will take action against King” Feb. 21, 2007.

[8] The Rising Nepal, “Serchan: Govt will take action against King” Feb. 21, 2007.

[9] The Rising Nepal, “Serchan: Govt will take action against King” Feb. 21, 2007.

[10] The Rising Nepal, “King's message against people's wishes: NC”, Feb. 21, 2007.

[11] The Rising Nepal, “King's message against people's wishes: NC”, Feb. 21, 2007.

[12] The Rising Nepal, “Civil movement protests King's message” Feb. 21, 2007.

[13] Daily News and Analysis, “Nepal’s royal troubles”, Feb. 21, 2007.

[14] The Hindu, "King Gyanendra's statement grossly irresponsible" Feb 21, 2007.

[15] Nepalnews.com pb Feb 21 07, “Clarify government’s stance on King’s message: Sharma”.

[16] Ekantipur.com, “King’s remarks spur furor nationwide” Feb. 20, 2007.

[17] Ekantipur.com, “PM meets Indian envoy, army chief” Kantipur Report, Feb. 20, 2007.

[18] The Himalayan Times, “Bijukchhe charges: Govt drafted king’s message” Feb. 25, 2007.

[19] Ekantiur.com, “MPs demand immediate action against king” Kantipur Report, Feb. 25, 2007; The Himalayan Times, “MPs' Call to Declare Nation Republic” Feb. 26, 2007.

[20] Ekantipur.com, “King's Feb 1 step no way justifiable: Rana”, Feb. 26, 2007.

[21] The Rising Nepal, “Govt targets King on erroneous message, Eight parties to prepare modality of action” Feb. 27, 2007.

[22] Islamic Republic News Agency, “Nepal PM declines to declare 'republic”, March 03, 2007; Ekantipur.com, “PM declines to proclaim republic”, Post Report, March 02, 2007.

A shorter version of this article is published in “Kathmandu Metro” issue 08, and posted on its website www.kathmandumetro.com.

Write to Siddhi B. Ranjitkar at Siddhi@SiddhiRanjitkar.com.

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