Amid turmoil,posters in Nepal indicate Gyanendra bid to return

The man who was stripped of his status and title of King over 13 months ago,is inching back to political prominence...

The man who was stripped of his status and title of King over 13 months ago,is inching back to political prominence in turmoil-struck Nepal.

In a speech to his former subjects on July 7 the day he turns 63 former King Gyanendra is likely to call for consolidation of democracy and nationalism,and pursuit of a policy of national reconciliation.

The policy of national reconciliation,first propounded by pro-democracy leader B P Koirala in 1976,envisaged the forces of democracy and nationalism acting in concert to diminish the role and influence of big powers and other external forces.

A 1,365-member committee has been formed for a three-day nationwide celebration of Gyanendras birthday. With the countrys unity and integrity under threat,and the state on the verge of collapse,revival of the monarchy is very much in the national interest. The gala celebration is part of that campaign, said a member of the committee.

Phani Pathak,an advisor to the former king,told The Indian Express that the ceremonies will take place at Nirmal Niwas,Gyanendras private residence. As far as the national celebration is concerned,that is part of the peoples initiative, he said.

Gyanendra had observed a low-key 62nd birthday less then two months after he was dethroned and had to leave Narayanhiti Palace at the Nagarjuna Palace where the government had given him temporary accommodation.

Now,with the popularity of political parties and the euphoria generated by the success of the peoples movement on the wane,the collapse of law and order,and uncertainty over the constitutional process,pro-monarchy forces appear to be preparing to launch some sort of a comeback bid.

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The committee for celebrating the birthday has put up posters at several places in the capital,with pictures of a smiling former king on them. Sources in the committee said they plan to come out with other posters demanding revival of the monarchy if democracy and nationalism are to be saved.

Indications are the former king will criticise the state of affairs in Nepal in his speech. He sat quietly all these days,tolerated every humiliation and criticism,fair and unfair,by interested groups. He has not only a right,but also a duty to respond to all that, said the committee member.