Monarchy still an open question

The statement that monarchy is gone is hypothetical, he said. The former king did not demand a referendum to settle the monarchy issue but said only people can decide the fate of monarchy and that decision should be acceptable to all.

Gyanendra had flown to Janakpur on the occasion of Ram Navami on Wednesday as a commoner,but was given a big reception with many people saying that the king must step in and save the country.

If people want the present set-up to continue,that should be acceptable to all. Likewise,if they want something else and decide to revive monarchy,that should be acceptable as well, he said.

The interview comes at a time when political parties in Nepal are increasingly becoming unpopular,with speculation rife that they may not be able to present a Constitution within the given deadline of May 28.

Speaking of the takeover on February 1,2005 and its consequences,Gyanendra said: It may have been a lesson the people wanted to teach monarchs. At the same time,the people have realised that a king as a guardian had to take a step at that time. He then defended his role saying that the kings have never tried to snatch power and that they had always left the decision to the people.

To a question on the palace massacre,Gyanendra replied: I was not there when it happened. Whatever I heard was from our surviving family members and relatives. The truth was revealed by the inquiry commission.