King wants active monarchy: Parties 

January 28, 2004
2 MIN READ
A
A+
A-

Party leaders, in an interaction program on Wednesday, said, King Gyanendra’s recent interview in the Time magazine is a signal that the King wants an “active monarchical system” in Nepal.

“King’s interview is against the spirit of Constitution and multiparty democracy,” CPN-UML leader Bamdev Gautam said.

Urging the King to become “sensible and responsible”, Gautam said his party accepted the King on the basis of tripartite agreement in 1990. “If the King doesn’t reconcile with the parties, it’s people who will decide the fate of monarchy.”

Gautam further informed that the UML’s standing committee held on Wednesday has criticized the interview as “anti-constitutional”, which has obstructed a national consensus.

At the same program, Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat said the monarchy is not a “headache” for his party but their actions have become controversial.

“King is constitutional and he must remain within the periphery of Constitution,” he said, adding, “It’s the job of the parties to conduct politics.”

General Secretary of United People’s Front, Lila Mani Pokharel said the interview is a “threat” to political parties, people’s rights and the press itself.

“Parties must outline a clear strategy against the monarchy which is hindering democratic practice in Nepal,” he said.

Leader of Nepal Sadvawana Party (Anandi Devi), Hrideyesh Tripathi said his party supports constitutional monarchy. “But the King should not cross the limit.”

RPP leader Balaram Gharti Magar and leader of RPP (Nationalist), Rajeswor Devkota said the interview shows the King’s commitment for multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy.

They said the parties and the King must come to a negotiation table to resolve the existing crisis. “King is committed to form a national consensus. Parties must not misinterpret the King’s ideas in the interview,” according to them.

Reporters’ Club Nepal organized the interaction program.