Nepal government cuts power supply to former Queen Mother’s residence

The news of the power cut triggered a massive storm against the government on social media. The outrage was mostly centered around the fact that the government had targetted the former Queen Mother, who leads a low-key life and has been ailing for some time and has been under medication.

The 88-year-old Queen Mother has been living in Mahendra Manzil, a house built and gifted to her by her husband late King Mahendra some five decades ago.

The government in 2008, led by G P Koirala, took over the entire palace complex after the world’s only Hindu Kingdom turned into a secular republic. The then government had allowed her to live in Mahendra Manzil during her lifetime.

Incidentally, the order for power cut was issued the day she turned 88. NEA sources said they were simply carrying the government’s orders.

The government had taken over all the property and palaces of the erstwhile royal family and put all of them under the newly created Nepal Trust, allowing Queen Mother to use Mahendra Manzil during her lifetime and the Nagarjun Palace at the outskirts of the capital for Gyanendra Shah.

Dr Phani Pathak, adviser to the former King, said “We continue to hope that the government shows some sensitivity and honours its obligations (to the erstwhile royal family).”