Ex-King Gyanendra’s statement on monarchy a daydream, say Nepali leaders

KATHMANDU - Most Nepali leaders have described a recent statement by former Nepal monarch King Gyanendra that “the monarchy hasn’t completely ended” as a daydream.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said on Thursday: “It is only a day dream to say that the monarchy still exists in the country. So, the meeting did not discuss about his remarks.

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur expressed surprise over the former king’s remark and joked that the former king might have made such remarks in delusion.

Meanwhile, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha claimed that the latest statement by former King Gyanendra has made it clear that counter revolutionaries are conspiring in the country.

“The deposed king gave his recent statement with the support from counter revolutionary forces, Kantipur quoted him as saying.

He remarked that yesterday’s statement of the ex-monarch that the monarchy could resurrect is an audacious attempt to disrespect the people.

Former king in an interview with a private television channel on Wednesday aid it is hypothetical to say that the monarchy has been abolished in the country.

The former king said that he does not think that the monarchy has ended. “While turning the pages of the country’s history, there are ups and downs..,” he said, adding that people will decide considering this and (all should) take this up.n February 2005, Gyanendra Shah sacked Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and started ruling directly.

Following the royal takeover, the seven major political parties formed a broader alliance and joined hands with the rebels Maoists signing a 12-point understanding which paved way for the 2006 April movement (Janandolan II ) that eventually pulled down monarchy and carved out Constituent Assembly polls.

The 240-years monarchy got officially abolished in the first meeting the Constituent Assembly of May 28, 2008 and the country was baptized a republic. (ANI)