Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Gyanendra Shah, Nepal's deposed king, is taking advantage
of the country's political instability and government crisis in order to regain
his throne. In an interview with a local TV station, News 24, the former monarch said he was saddened by the country's
fate, waiting since 2007 for a constitution and a leader able to govern.
Shad said he did not want power but in view of the failures of the
republican system of government, he was working with political parties to play
the role of the nation's guardian. Most political leaders said however that they
had not made any deals with the deposed king, slamming him for taking advantage
of the crisis to get his throne back.
For current Prime Minister Baburan Bhattari, a return to the monarchy
was out of the question. "It is not good for him [the former king] to make such
controversial public remarks," he explained. "Political parties will have to
reconsider the state facilities" but a revival of monarchy is nigh impossible
for the wheel of history cannot be turned back.
After the failure to adopt the new constitution back in May, the
constituent assembly was officially dissolved on 27 June. Fresh elections are
scheduled for November.
At present, a caretaker government is running the affairs of state under
Maoist Bhaburan Bhattarai. However, many Nepalis feel that a multiparty
republic has failed so far.
Some political leaders do not even exclude the restoration of the
monarchy, including HisilaYami, wife of the prime minister and a member of the
Maoist party.
Unlike her husband, Ms Yami believes that the "multiparty system has
been a failure" and this is boosting King Gyanendra Shah popularity's among the
people who are tired of squabbles between conservatives, Maoists and Communists.
"Maoists and conservatives are only interested in power and are doing
nothing for the people," she explained. "If the atmosphere does not change,
there will not be any deal among the parties and this will have serious
consequences."
Following strikes called by Nepal's Maoists, thousands of workers
have lost their job. Since January, poverty-related suicides and murders have
jumped. Many foreign companies have also moved their investments out of Nepal.
With parliament's unable to pass the 2011 budget, the country surviving
only because of aid from Nepal's Chinese ally and remittances from Nepali migrants,
which represent 10 per cent of the gross domestic product.