Royalists Intensify Activities Ahead of Former King Gyanendra's Return to Kathmandu Amid Election Period

Kathmandu. With the House of Representatives election just three weeks away, royalists have suddenly ramped up their activities under the guise of welcoming former King Gyanendra Shah. As the former King, currently in Jhapa, is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on Friday, royalists have made preparations for a "grand" welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

This preparation by the royalists has sparked interest in political circles and increased security challenges due to the potential for confrontation.

As the royalists planned a show of strength for the former King's welcome, the Kathmandu District Administration Office issued a notice prohibiting gatherings of more than five people for demonstrations in the entire area within the TIA premises, including the Golden Gate leading to the airport, the entire road area, the domestic terminal area, and the parking area.

The notice suggests that the administration's strategy is to prevent royalists from gathering around the airport. However, at a press conference held on Thursday, Durga Prasai, coordinator of the National, Nationality, Religion-Culture, and Citizen Protection Grand Campaign, claimed that a grand welcome for the former King would take place despite the restricted area declaration. He also accused the government of trying to disrupt them by declaring the area restricted. He asserted that the government could not stop them through the declaration of a restricted zone.

‘Where can it be declared restricted? Especially when the King is coming? Are you trying to stop the King?’, Prasai said, ‘If you (Home Minister and Prime Minister) have the guts, try handcuffing the King!’ He warned, ‘If anything untoward happens because of this, we will bring the King into Narayanhiti tomorrow itself.’

Prasai also warned the government against making arrests, stating that their movement would be peaceful. He further alleged that the election was being held based on foreign backing rather than the foundation of a people's movement.

It has been stated that the demonstration will include participation from royalist organizations such as the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) led by Rajendra Lingden, the Grand Campaign led by Durga Prasai, and the United People's Movement Committee led by Navaraj Subedi.

On Thursday, the United People's Movement Committee led by Subedi issued a statement asserting that the end of corruption and the restoration of good governance are not only the desires and demands of the younger generation but also crucial foundations for resolving the current crisis.

The committee asserted that the solution sought by the nation and serious issues related to nationality cannot be achieved through superficial interference. The statement read, ‘The continuation of prohibition cannot fill the vacuum at the center of the state. Therefore, realizing the reality that the path of the nation is the foundation, we have no other option but to seek a long-term solution based on all-party dialogue and consensus.’ The committee maintained that the permanent remedy sought by the country and the people cannot be achieved without the monarchy.

Calling on Candidates

With the House of Representatives election set for Falgun 21 and the code of conduct already in effect, royalists appear to be trying to create an atmosphere in favor of the monarchy by demonstrating their strength. Moreover, candidates running for the House of Representatives from the RPP are actively involved in welcoming the former King. Last Sunday, Rabindra Mishra, Senior Vice-Chairman of the RPP and candidate for Kathmandu Constituency No. 1, publicly called for a grand welcome for former King Shah at the airport upon his return from Jhapa to Kathmandu.

In his public call via Facebook, he claimed that signs of the country moving towards a new understanding were beginning to emerge.

‘The old parties are also almost realizing that the country needs the shelter of the monarchy. This is a very positive sign,’ Mishra stated. ‘The general public who are monarchists will naturally attend. But if RPP friends and other monarchist groups from around the valley, and if possible from across the country, could all come to Kathmandu for one day, the welcome would be historic. Only now are signs emerging that the country is moving towards a new understanding.’

RPP also held discussions with Prasai, who is organizing the welcome, on Wednesday. Senior Vice-Chairman Buddhiman Tamang, Roshan Karki, and leaders Niranjan Thapa, Mohan Shrestha, among others, participated in the discussion. It was reported that discussions were held on moving forward together to make the former King's welcome program successful.

Khushbu Oli, a central member of the RPP, stated that the party would actively participate in welcoming the former King. However, she mentioned that she would not be participating as she would be focused on her election campaign centered on the Mid-Hill Highway.

• Attempt to Gain Votes by Showing Gyanendra?

RPP Spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shrestha stated that the RPP is mobilizing party workers and well-wishers to welcome the former King at the airport as he returns from Jhapa to Kathmandu. He said that this welcome program is a joint initiative of various monarchist, independent groups, and campaigns, not just the RPP.

Shrestha asserted that the time has come to present the monarchy as a guardian institution in the current critical state of the country. He said, ‘The time has matured when the monarchy should be a guardian institution in the current crisis, which is why we are preparing for the welcome.’

Shrestha argued that this program should not be viewed as a strategy to gain votes or benefit from the upcoming election. He insisted that the program is not related to the election. ‘This is not related to the election; this is a national necessity,’ he said. ‘We have also called upon patriotic and nationalist citizens from Congress, UML, and Maoist parties to participate in this.’

The former King visited Janakpur in the second week of Magh last year. Immediately after that, the former King had been residing in Damak, Jhapa. As he finishes his stay in Damak and returns to Kathmandu on Friday, royalists are taking this opportunity to welcome him.

Former King's press secretary Phani Pathak asserted that the monarchy is the only institution capable of uniting everyone. He argued that the relevance of the monarchy has further increased in the current adverse situation and that all sides should take this seriously.

Last year on Falgun 25, royalists also gave a grand welcome when former King Shah returned from Pokhara. Following the arrival of thousands of royalists at the airport for the welcome, the former King, emboldened, was accused of inciting the royalists to protest. Following that welcome, a violent demonstration organized by Durga Prasai's organization took place in the Tripureshwor area in Chaitra of the same year.

Now, as demonstrations are set to take place again on the eve of the election, the Election Commission has also shown interest. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ramprasad Bhandari stated that the Commission is closely monitoring the royalists' demonstrations. He clarified that while the right to protest belongs to political parties or organizations, the Commission will oversee matters related to the code of conduct.

He warned that the Commission would take ‘action’ if the code of conduct is violated, and that candidates seen at the demonstration could even face the cancellation of their candidacies.