By Our Reporter
The pro-monarchy groups, which were sharply divided before and immediately after the violent Tinkune demonstration of March 28, have now stood together and announced a joint political movement against the federal republic system starting from May 29, which is also Republic Day.
The pro-monarchy forces have primarily two goals—the restoration of the monarchy and the Hindu kingdom.
On May 9, the leaders of previously divided groups came together in a joint press meet organised by Nabaraj Subedi-led Joint People’s Movement in Kathmandu and announced the launching of the movement, which they called would be a decisive one.
The gathering saw Subedi, RPP chairman Rajendra Lingden, RPP-N chair Kamal Thapa and Keshar Bahadur Bista together.
However, Durga Prasain, who is now in police custody, and his supporters were not present in the gathering, neither did the leaders say anything about Prasain who was named commander of the March 28 demonstration which went violent killing two persons and destroying private and public property in Tinkune and Jadibuti areas.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal have strongly denounced the proposed movement of the royalists.
Addressing the House of Representatives on Sunday, Prime Minister Oli said that the monarchy will not be reinstated in Nepal, dismissing any hopes or calls for a return to the previous system as unrealistic and regressive.
He strongly warned against any efforts to undermine democracy.
“In the name of democracy, openly advocating for the reversal of democratic gains and pushing the country toward regression is both surprising and alarming,” Oli said. “Don’t dream of restoring the monarchy on any future Jestha 15. That dream will never be realised. Dreams alone are of no use — I urge you not to insist on them.”
Likewise, Dahal even said that the movements of the pro-royalist forces could be foiled by mobilising the cadres of the Young Communist League, a sister organisation of his party. He has warned that any attempts to weaken and destabilise the republic system will not be tolerated.
Nepal was declared a republic on May 29, 2008, and the pro-monarchy forces chose the same day to launch their movement to restore the monarchy.
As the pro-monarchy groups were divided into many small groups, they were seen as weak forces in the ground, nevertheless, presently, after developing a joint front, they look strong. Moreover, when former King Gyanendra was returning from Pokhara to Kathmandu, a human sea appeared from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to Nirmal Niwas, the King’s private residence. More importantly, the presence of a large number of youths seeking a political change was significant.
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