Kathmandu, March 11 (HS): Following a mass movement in support of the former king of Nepal, political parties supporting the king have clarified that they are not demanding the restoration of the monarchy but are only asking for the recognition of the monarchy as an institution. This movement has raised questions about whether the monarchy is set to return to Nepal.

Senior leader and MP of the National Democratic Party, Pashupati Shamsher Rana, who is leading the movement in favor of the king, stated that we have all embraced a multi-party democratic system in the country. This is the best governance system for Nepal. He said that bringing back the monarchy instead of democracy is not our agenda. We only want the monarchy to receive cultural recognition. There is a demand to honor the king like a guardian.

Similarly, king-supporting leader Kamal Thapa also issued a statement today saying that democracy can never be replaced by the monarchy. Kamal Thapa, a former Deputy Prime Minister, stated that the Nepali people do not want an authoritarian regime in the country again. We have complete faith in democracy. Thapa also said that all political parties should come together to reach a common agreement regarding the cultural role of the monarchy,he added.

The communication secretary of the former king, Phanindra Pathak, stated that the king has no personal desire. It will be up to the people of the country to decide what role he should play. Pathak said that the royal throne was promised cultural rights by all the top leaders of that time in the presence of India, but later he was completely sidelined. He mentioned that now it should be left to the people of Nepal to decide what kind of monarchy they want.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar