Former King Gyanendra Criticizes Current Political State, Calls for Discarding Flawed System

Kathmandu. Former King Gyanendra Shah has expressed dissatisfaction with the current political situation in the country, stating that the system carrying negative aspects must be discarded.

 In a video message issued on the occasion of the 74th National Democracy Day on Wednesday, the former king also opined that it is inappropriate to go to elections in the current precarious situation without resolving national problems.

Commenting that the country is caught in a whirlpool of unnatural restlessness, former King Shah emphasized that while the good aspects of any system should be adopted, the bad aspects must be abandoned. He said, 'The good and sound aspects of any system must be picked up and kept. Every system has bad and flawed aspects; those must be thrown away and discarded.' 

It is his assertion that only a system suited to the country's structure and the nature of society will yield positive results.

Although periodic elections are natural in a democracy, he questioned the relevance of elections in the current state. He pointed out that the general public sentiment at this time is focused on resolving the nation's crisis before elections.

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'It would be appropriate to proceed towards the upcoming election process only after resolving the national problems first, and keeping in mind that there should be no conflict, unrest, or tug-of-war after the election, only by building an understanding to move forward with national consensus and inclusion will it take the right path,' the former king's message stated.

Launching a sharp attack on the current political leadership, the former king stated that the country will not progress with the mindset of 'taking turns and dividing the spoils.' He commented that a tendency to only seek rights but not consider duties has flourished, and the country is bound in the 'shackles of a compulsory system' dictated by pleasing someone or being appointed by someone. He also cautioned the political leadership not to fall into trouble by depending on others.

Shah stated that it is time for self-reflection on what the changes brought by past movements and struggles have actually given to the country and the people. Stating that every patriotic Nepali feels that the nation's identity and existence are in crisis, he stressed the need to end the undesirable culture where one Nepali considers another Nepali an enemy.

Stating that the affection and support received from the people while returning to Kathmandu after his stay in Jhapa have made him more responsible towards the nation, he pointed out that poverty and instability are Nepal's main enemies.

On the occasion of Democracy Day, he paid homage to his great-grandfather King Tribhuvan and the known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed for the establishment of democracy, and advocated for a system where the heads of Nepalis are held high before the world. Democracy Day is being celebrated on Thursday.