India has welcomed King Gyanendra’s announcement to hand over the executive power to the people.
This action ‘should now pave the way for restoration of political stability and economic recovery of the country’, External Affairs Ministry Navtej Sarna said on Friday.
“India welcomes his (Gyanendra’s) intention to transfer all executive power of the State to a government constituted by the alliance of the seven political parties, which have been in the forefront of the movement by the people of Nepal for the restoration of multi-party democracy and their democratic freedoms,” Sarna said.
The spokesman noted that the King, through the action, had reaffirmed his commitment to multi-party democracy and Constitutional monarchy.
Likewise, India’s special envoy Dr. Karan Singh has welcomed the King’s offer, saying the King has taken a bold step.
Report quoted him as saying, “I think it is the right thing to defuse the situation,” adding, “Now the political parties have to shoulder the responsibility and take the process forward. The sooner that can happen the better it will be.”
King Gyanendra in the royal proclamation on Friday said, he had returned the executive power to the people as per the Article 35 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal and asked the agitating seven-party alliance to recommend a name for the Prime Minister.
The United States saluted the people of Nepal’s courage and resilience in their struggle for democracy.
Welcoming the King’s decision to return power to the people Sean McCormack, spokesman of the US Department of State on Friday said, “We are pleased that King Gyanendra’s message today made clear that sovereignty resides with the people.”
“We expect the King to live up to his words, and allow the parties to form a government.”
McCormack urged the parties to respond quickly by choosing a prime minister and a cabinet.
The people of Nepal deserve a democratic government that can return stability and peace to their country, he said, adding, “We urge all sides to refrain from violence to allow the restoration of democracy to take place swiftly and peacefully.”
India and US had stalled military assistance following the February 1 royal takeover of last year, saying the move setback to democracy and pressurizing the King to immediately restore democracy in the country. nepalnews.com pb Apr 22 06