KATHMANDU: Social media are flooded with reports that lobbying is underway to pick Himani Shah, former crown princess, as a lawmaker in the National Assembly (NA).
Consider this: “Himani will be nominated as a lawmaker to the Upper House based on her contribution to the social sector.”
But, is this report true or has just been brought to the fore to misguide the general public? Questions remain absurd!
Look at how Prime Minister KP Oli — also a Chairman of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) — has been portrayed as having a soft corner towards Himani’s nomination.
Reports, citing reports, have said Himani is likely to be nominated as a lawmaker to the Upper House if she gives consent to it.
What cannot, however, be ruled out is that there is still a big chunk of people having a high regard for monarchy in the country.
This group has basically been disintegrated after the monarchy was abolished from the country in 2008. On the other hand, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) which is considered an ardent supporter of monarchy has been split into several groups.
Sources also claim that people also took to the streets in support of Prime Minister KP Oli when his post was in jeopardy due to the intra-party feud.
This group is said to have held seven meetings with Prime Minister Oli at Baluwatar, and discussed the agenda of nationalism.
Sources said the group loyal to PM Oli has been trying to curry favor from the royalists convincing that India is always harboring a native attitude towards nationalists and trying to prevent them from attaining power in the country.
“The monarchy was abolished on the ground of being nationalist. Now the turn has come to Oli,” a source said, adding, “The royalists are also in favor of this group.”
The government has been emphasizing the need to forge agreement between the nationalist powers in the country.
Royalists agree to the statement “Party, ideology and views are secondary to the nation,” often expressed by the leaders involved in the Oli government, said the source.
This group which is close to the royalists is now in support of the Oli-led government, claimed the sources.
Reports are that the government is preparing to do favor for this group by nominating Himani Shah as a lawmaker to the Upper House.
Himani is the wife of former Crown Prince Paras. She is actively involved in social activities through the Himani Trust established after the monarchy was abolished in Nepal.
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