King Gyanendra breaks 'silence' yet again, slams decision to abolish monarchy

King Gyanendra (File Photo)

In what appears to be a first ever interview to foreign news media since being stripped of all political powers following weeks of mass protest against his regime about a year and half ago, King Gyanendra has expressed dissatisfaction over the recent decision by the interim parliament to abolish monarchy after the April 10 Constituent Assembly (CA) election.

Speaking to a select group of Japanese correspondents at the Narayanhiti royal palace on February 4, King Gyanendra said, “[The decision] doesn’t reflect the majority view of the people. This isn’t democracy.” He, however, conceded that the people do have the right to choose the fate of monarchy.

The interview was published in Japan’s leading newspaper Daily Yomiuri.

"Some leaders have tried to take action that's against cultural, social and traditional values," King Gyanendra said, in a cleverly veiled criticism of the Maoist party leadership, which leads a strong campaign to abolish the monarchy.

The king also pointed out that law and order situation of the country is deteriorating, questioning the interim government's ability to govern the country.

Citing the recent survey which showed 49 percent of respondents favored the continuation of the monarchy in some form, King Gyanendra said: "A majority of the people find great meaning in the institution of the monarchy. In all clouds, there is a silver lining. Let us hope."

About a week ago King Gyanendra had broke his closely guarded silence in an interview to a pro-monarchist weekly paper in which he said that he remained silent to “let the peace process succeed.”

In the interview that appeared on the eve of the third anniversary of his coup, King Gyanendra had said, “Nepali people themselves should speak out on where the nation is heading, on the direction it is taking and on why it is becoming chaotic.” nepalnews.com ag Feb 07 08