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Ex-King Gyanendra says he accepts CA decision; prepares to leave Narayanhiti

Former King Gyanendra has said he has "made sacrifices for Nepalese people and permanent peace" by accepting the decision of the Constituent Assembly (CA) that formally abolished the monarchy and declared the country a federal democratic republic on May 28.

Breaking his long science, the former king said if the Nepalese people and the country stand to benefit he is ready to make any sacrifice.

The ousted monarch said this during his meeting with top palace officials and close aides inside the Narayanhiti palace today. A local radio station quoted a top palace official as saying that the decision taken by the first meeting of the CA was acceptable to the King.

Gyanendra is also said to be preparing to organise first-of-its-kind press conference this week to make public his views regarding the decision of the CA the turned the page on the 240-years of Shah dynasty. However, during the journalists would not be allowed put direct questions.

Meanwhile, Gyanendra is said to have made last minute preparations to leave the palace as the 15 days deadline given by the government draws near.

Reports have it that he is not so keen on shifting to Nirmal Niwas, his residence before he ascended to the throne, as former crown Prince Paras and his family reside in it.

This coupled with the fact that the government has made no arrangement for his accommodation.

It is, however, not clear when exactly he is vacating the palace. Top palace officials are also angry of the little timeframe given by the government to vacate the palace.

"As the government has not even given the time that his usually given by the house owners to the tenants to shift elsewhere. They are facing difficulties in vacating the palace," Dr Fanindra Pathak, a senior palace official, said nepalnews.com ag June 02 08