King's message stirs hornet's nest; parties term it grossly inappropriate
As soon as the King's Democracy Day message was published, leaders of political parties came out with sharp reaction terming it as "constitutionally unauthorised and politically inappropriate".
Particularly, the parties have raised questions about the King's apparent move to defend the February 1, 2005 step when the King sacked elected government and took over the executive powers in contravention of then constitution.
Maoist chairman Prachanda termed the King’s statement “as a challenge to the democratic forces and their mission to establish a new Nepal”.
Talking to media persons in the eastern town of Biratnagar Monday morning, Prachanda said the King, who has no place in the interim constitution, has no right to give any statements. The King's message, he said, should encourage the parties to go for republic right away.
He also claimed the statement was an indication that regressive forces were trying to create disturbance in the country.
Home Minister KP Sitaula said the message was not published with the concurrence of the government.
Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara was particularly angry about the King's message stating that it smacked of conspiracies to derail the democratic process. "This has further clarified the ardent need for the political parties to go ahead and declare republic in the country," he said. Mahara went on to add that this message has shadowed other issues like the Maoists joining the interim government. "It is now clear that the first priority should be to settle this issue of the King," he told Nepal FM.
The standing committee meeting of the UML held this morning said the statement was against the spirit of democracy and people's interest. The party also said the statement was unconstitutional and inappropriate. All democratic forces should remain committed to strengthening democracy, the UML further said.
Talking to media persons, standing committee member Jhal Nath Khanal said the King’s message exposed that democracy was still not out of danger.
The Nepali Congress has said the King's message is an attempt to defend the former autocratic regime and that the message is not acceptable to the Nepali people. nepalnews.com sd/ia Feb 19 07
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