Ex-king goes on with endless demands

Nepalmountainnews Report | 9 Jun 2008

On the one hand the government, with the Maoist party in lead after April elections, is set to demolish the 240-year-old monarchy to institutionalize the federal democratic republic in the country and thus announced republic from the first sitting of the constituent assembly, while on the other deposed king Gyanendra who despite receiving the government letter to vacate Narayanhiti by Wednesday (June 11) is seemed not content with the government decisions.

His demands are increasing day by day.

In the beginning Gyanendra asked the government to allocate any (one) palace for him to live with his jumbo family once he quit the Narayanhiti accepting the aspirations of the CA and people. Terming this as an obvious reason and to set another example in safe landing the peace process the government accepted his demand and allowed him to live in Nagarjun palace 'for the time being' (though the government has not mentioned exact time on when he has to leave that palace as well).

After that the government in request of the ousted king decided to deploy a security command of 75 personnels to former king and queen, 25 to ex-crown prince and princess and 15 each to his step-mother Ratna and concubine of Tribhuwan Sarala.

Of the latest, the political parties in the government once again in response to erstwhile king's plea decided to allow Ratna and Sarala live inside the Narayanhiti premises, which is set to be turned into a national museum once the ex-royals vacate it.

Notwithstanding all these facts and government softness to give the great historic change an end without any bloodshed, ex-monarch Gyanendra contrary is raising the lists of his demands day by day.

He now is demanding at least 44 vehicles from the government for his personal use and not less than 151 staffers in his service. And if the situation persists as it is, it is more likely that this demand too will be fulfilled by the government. And Gyanendra stands with another fresh demand to vacate the palace.

At the meantime, a panel formed to probe and prepare a report on the property of the royal palace has reported the government that Gyanendra had denied to submit crown and scepter to the government citing those are ex-royal's private property. A member of the committee told us that the panel is yet to get access into the main palace and coffer. "So it is not verified yet how much valuables are there inside the palace," the source said.