The three-day celebrations of King Gyanendra’s 61st birthday kicked off with dinner reception in the palace on Friday night amid protests by student and youth activists of eight political parties.

According to Kantipur daily, 125 of the 800 invitees attended Friday’s dinner. The attendees included former Panchas, royal relatives, some Major Generals of the army who are going to retire soon and former army officials.

It added that former prime ministers Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Marichman Singh and Kirti Nidhi Bista attended the dinner.

Prime Minister, ministers, Speaker, army chief and other senior officials of the government stayed away from the party.

The Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) organised a rally in Ratnapark on Friday evening protesting the King’s party.

Meanwhile, monarchists are planning to gather in Tundikhel and travel to royal palace to extend birthday greetings on Saturday. On the other hand, student activists including the YCL have vowed to foil the monarchists’ party. The YCL has vowed to block roads to palace on Saturday.

The palace has already asked for security from the Home Ministry in view of likely confrontation. The Home Ministry has issued orders to the District Security Committee to make necessary security arrangements.