Gyanendra Shah's Intriguing Political Pivot

Kathmandu. Former King Gyanendra Shah has released three video messages since the end of Poush. There is a common thread in all three messages released on Prithvi Jayanti (Poush 27), Democracy Day (Falgun 7), and the eve of the New Year 2083: his status as 'His Majesty the King'.

It is worth noting that it has been 18 years since the republic was established in the country, and it is illegal for him to claim the title of King. However, he has proudly presented himself with that title and criticized the current system in his last two videos.

Beyond this similarity, he has presented himself in a politically meaningful and different way in the last two videos. In the video message released on the eve of Democracy Day, he questioned the justification of the Falgun 21 elections. While periodic elections to choose people's representatives are a natural process in a democratic system, he believed that national problems should be solved first.

He stated, 'The current public sentiment is that the existing national problems of the country must be solved before going to the polls.' He also emphasized the need for a national consensus and an understanding that includes all parties before heading to the elections.

While opposing the elections, former King Gyanendra strongly criticized the power-centric working style and tendencies of the current political parties. He alleged that instead of providing a way out for the country, the parties have kept it entangled in power-sharing and foreign influence. He claimed that the mindset of taking turns to share power is dominant among the parties, which cannot give the country a new momentum.

Interestingly, the former King's statement created confusion within the pro-monarchy party, RPP, which was preparing for the elections. A leader from RPP recalls that while the party hoped for a boost in votes if the former King called for it, they were left in a state of confusion when he questioned the very justification of the elections. Although RPP tried to support the Falgun 7 statement through a press release, the leader believes it was politically detrimental.

RPP had stated in its release, 'We once again urge the government and political parties to reach an understanding to solve national problems before the elections as much as possible. Furthermore, RPP calls upon the general public to be aware and to pressure for a new understanding in the election campaign with high morale, in accordance with the former King's message and party policy.'

However, RPP's standing shrunk from 14 to 5 seats after the election.

Against this backdrop, the former King appeared meaningfully soft towards the government led by Balen after the election. 'It is a matter of excitement that the involvement of the younger generation in politics and state governance is increasing,' the former King said. 'We believe that the arrival of enthusiastic figures who are educated, understand the country, and have knowledge of modern technology will help make the nation fruitful.'

While appearing soft towards the Balen government, he seemed outraged by the past conduct of the old parties.

He remarked that the country has headed towards decline due to the working style of the old political parties.

Describing the republican system as a mere superficial change, former King Gyanendra claimed that it has not changed the condition of the people. 'We have seen many changes in politics, state systems, and governance, but it was only a superficial change,' he said. 'We ran a lot in the turmoil of party politics, but we lagged far behind in the prosperity of the nation.'

Pointing out this situation, the former King appeared soft and positive towards new political forces and the youth. Mentioning that the country is piled with problems on all sides, the former King also managed to suggest that the new leadership should end the politics of exclusion and revenge. 'There should be no mutual anger, hatred, revenge, and exclusion in politics,' he said. 'Let us be determined to find a constitutional solution through dialogue, consensus, and cooperation in a way that addresses the demands of all parties.'

RPP leader Sagun Sundar Lawati comments that the message given by the former King on the occasion of the New Year reflects that the political change in the country is incomplete and superficial. Lawati interprets the soft approach shown by the former King towards new political forces and the young generation as a degree of improvement.

Lawati said, 'The current message says it is good that new youths have come and people who know the country and abroad have arrived. This means the King believes that there were some shortcomings in the changes made so far and that our past efforts were merely experiments.'

When asked if the former King gave the benefit of the doubt to the new power, Lawati interpreted it differently. He said, 'It cannot be said that he gave the benefit of the doubt. It is said that what has happened now is okay, but there is still a lot to be done. The King's message represents the public sentiment that superficial change alone did not lead to the prosperity of the nation.'

Lawati believes that the former King signaled that the governance style of the old parties has failed without naming them.

'It has been clearly stated that old experiments failed and there were shortcomings,' he said. 'The message clarifies that the overall situation did not improve just by changing the rules and methods.'

Claiming that the words 'original Sanatan' and 'identity' used by the former King have a deep meaning, Lawati linked them to the monarchy and the Hindu nation. He said, 'In one form or another, the basis of Sanatan identity is the monarchy and the Sanatan Hindu nation. The mention of sovereignty and identity in the message points to this.'

Political scientist and professor Lokraj Baral comments that the latest video message contains a hidden desire for former King Gyanendra Shah to find political space for himself in a roundabout way. Baral interprets the former King showing soft feelings towards the new generation and emphasizing consensus as an 'indirect message' of trying to enter the political process somewhere.

Comparing the former King's past statements with the current message, Baral said, 'Yesterday he expressed the view that elections cannot happen and that a consensus including him is needed, but now by being flexible towards the new generation and saying that consensus should be increased, there is a hidden message somewhere that look at us (the monarchy) too.'

Baral argues that even though RPP won some seats in the election, it cannot be said that the pro-monarchy force is strong. He says that RPP's victory should be seen as the popularity of individuals rather than the victory of the agenda of bringing a Hindu nation or a King.

'Gyanendra Shahi won in Jumla due to his own popularity; he did not win by saying he would bring a Hindu nation or a King,' Baral claimed. 'If Shahi had not won, RPP would not even be a national party.'

Baral's analysis is that even though the former King talks about the new generation and change, a 'faint hope' of the return of the monarchy still remains within him. He said, 'It is still being shown that the monarchy exists somewhere and that we are also here, but now nothing is left.'

At the same time, he stated that although the former King appeared soft towards new figures like Balen Shah and Rabi Lamichhane, their political destination is still not clear.