KATHMADU: Former King Gyanendra Shah’s recent video message has set off a firestorm of political reactions and debates across Nepal. Released on February 18 to mark Democracy Day, Shah’s statement called for national unity and support to ‘save the nation,’ a plea that has sparked concern among leaders of major political parties and stirred pro-monarchy sentiments among his supporters.
“Now is the time. If we want to save the nation, if we want to maintain national unity, we call on all countrymen to support us for the prosperity and progress of the country,” he said during the address to the nation.
After spending about a month in Pokhara, Shah returned to Nirmal Niwas on Sunday. He was welcomed by tens of thousands of pro-monarchy supports along with political leaders from royalist forces like Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal.
The vague but emotive call to action immediately drew strong responses from the political sphere, particularly from the ruling UML and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
The most vocal critic of Shah’s statement was Prime Minister Oli, who, during his address to the Sudurpaschim Provincial Assembly, condemned the former king’s remarks.
Oli called Shah’s message an attempt to undermine the republic and indirectly incite unrest. His rhetoric was sharp and clear, as he accused Shah and his supporters of anarchic activities aimed at destabilizing the political order.
Oli also took a bold stance by challenging the former monarch to formally enter politics if he wishes to influence the nation’s path forward.
“Let him come to politics, we welcome him,” he said, signalling a desire to reframe Shah’s rhetoric as irrelevant unless backed by formal political engagement.
The reaction was not limited to Oli alone. Senior leaders from major parties, including the Nepali Congress and Maoist Center, also condemned the statement. Both Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal when asked dismissed monarchy as an afterthought.
Some went as far as to suggest that Shah’s provocative remarks could lead to a loss of state benefits that the former royal family still enjoys. Leaders from the Maoist Center, which played a central role in abolishing the monarchy in 2008, saw Shah’s message as an attempt to ignite a counter-revolutionary wave.
Royalist support
While leaders from major parties were quick to denounce the former king’s remarks, royalist forces found renewed momentum. Rajendra Lingden, the chair of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and Kamal Thapa, chair of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N), openly backed Shah’s message.
They framed the call for unity as an expression of concern for the nation’s well-being and argued that the monarchy’s relevance remains strong, especially amid public frustration with the performance of the federal democratic system.
Supporters of the former king took to social media and the streets, holding rallies and expressing nostalgia for the days of the monarchy. The calls for reinstating the Hindu kingdom and constitutional monarchy, which had largely subsided since the 2008 abolition, appeared to regain some traction.
For many citizens disillusioned with political instability and frequent changes in government, the monarchy’s image as a unifying and stable force remains appealing. The sentiment that the republic has failed to deliver on promises of progress and stability has bolstered royalist support, which has been simmering just below the surface.
Why now?
The timing of Shah’s statement is particularly intriguing. Nepal has been grappling with political instability, economic challenges, and public frustration over governance. Many view the current political leadership as being mired in infighting and incapable of addressing pressing issues such as unemployment, corruption, and infrastructural development.
Moreover, Oli’s own leadership has faced significant criticism, particularly regarding his handling of the Covid pandemic and his autocratic tendencies within the UML. The public perception of political inefficiency and self-serving agendas among republican leaders has created fertile ground for monarchist rhetoric to resurface.
Shah’s decision to issue a statement on Democracy Day, a date that symbolizes the transition from absolute monarchy to a federal republic, can also be seen as an intentional challenge to the current political system. It hints at a desire to question the outcomes of republicanism and whether they have truly served the nation’s interests.
What it means for Nepali politics
The most immediate impact is the rejuvenation of royalist factions that had been largely marginalized in mainstream politics. The RPP and other pro-monarchy groups see Shah’s statement as a rallying cry to reignite support for reinstating the monarchy or at least revisiting the republican model. If they manage to capitalize on public discontent effectively, they could become a formidable force, at least in influencing political discourse.
Shah’s statement has deepened ideological divides between staunch republicans and monarchist sympathizers. The major political parties, particularly the Maoist faction, views any revival of monarchist ideology as a direct threat to the achievements of the 2006 People’s Movement and the subsequent abolition of the monarchy. This polarization could lead to increased confrontations between political groups, potentially destabilizing the fragile political equilibrium.
Parties like the UML and Nepali Congress will likely double down on pro-democracy rhetoric to reassure their voter bases. Oli and Dahal’s invitation to Shah to formally enter politics is a calculated move to either force the monarchist faction into the mainstream or expose it as irrelevant in the current political context.
On the other hand, royalist parties might attempt to build alliances with disgruntled members of mainstream parties, especially those unhappy with their leadership. Such alliances could form the basis of a new political configuration aimed at challenging the current republican establishment.
While it remains uncertain how much traction monarchist rhetoric can gain, public opinion is a critical factor. If widespread dissatisfaction with republican governance continues, royalist parties could see a surge in support during upcoming elections. However, it is equally possible that republican forces will consolidate to present a unified front against perceived threats to the constitution and democracy.
A new Nepal?
Gyanendra Shah’s statement, while seemingly personal and symbolic, has opened the door to broader political ramifications. Whether it marks the beginning of a genuine monarchist revival or merely sparks a temporary wave of sentiment, it undeniably pressures mainstream political parties to reassess their engagement with the public.
The current leadership’s response will be pivotal in shaping the narrative. If republicans manage to portray Shah’s call as a regressive step that undermines democratic achievements, they may consolidate their power. However, should royalist forces effectively capitalize on public frustration, they could emerge as a significant political force.
Going forward, the debate over monarchy versus republic will likely intertwine with broader questions of governance, accountability, and political identity. For Nepal, the challenge lies not just in managing ideological divides but also in addressing the root causes of public discontent that allow monarchist sentiments to resurface.
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