KATHMANDU: Durga Prasai, a prominent medical entrepreneur and activist spearheading the movement to restore the monarchy and establish a Hindu state, has issued a bold challenge to RPP leaders Kamal Thapa and Rajendra Lingden.
Prasai, expressing his frustration, stated that the RPP leadership views him as a “shepherd” — a role he strongly rejects. He accused them of interfering during a program he organized to escort former King Gyanendra from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to Nirmal Niwas (Gyanendra’s private residence) on March 9, when RPP leaders entered the vehicle and clung to it.
He pointed the finger at the RPP for their involvement in dismantling the monarchy and Hindu state in the past, and even criticized the king’s secretariat for its role in the fall of the monarchy, saying, “The king’s secretariat is also at fault.”
Prasai also alleged that the RPP is benefiting from the republican system by staying in parliament, and challenged RPP leaders Rajendra Lingden and Dhawal Shamsher Rana to resign from their positions as MPs and join the streets if they genuinely seek to restore the monarchy and Hindu nation. He further urged Gyanendra Shahi to stop chasing after “popularity.”
“My primary goal is to reclaim the homes and lands of microfinance victims, cooperative victims, bank victims, and those whose properties have been auctioned by banks. I swear this on Durga Goddess and Pathibhara Goddess.”
Prasai didn’t hold back when addressing Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane, accusing him of collaborating with leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Oli.
After being angered by a royalist demonstration when former King Gyanendra arrived in Kathmandu from Pokhara, Prasai called for a press conference at his residence in Bhaktapur, where he shared his thoughts:
“When I get the chance, I will go to Parliament and disrupt it. Durga Prasai does not support the monarchy while enjoying the benefits of a republican system. I don’t play both sides like other MPs. I speak and act with conviction. When I say something, I do it.”
“It was our initiative on that day (March 9). We organized a grand welcome for the king at the airport and took him to Nirmal Niwas. When he returned from Pokhara, we ensured he was given a royal welcome. I promised we would bring him back to the palace, and no one could stop us. Now, what do our friends in the Parliament (RPP) have to say about that?”
“Yesterday, we discussed who is responsible for the republic. The biggest betrayal and fraud came from the RPP. If Kamal Thapa and Rajendra Lingden had not signed on September 20, 2015, the monarchy and Hindu kingdom would still exist today.”
“They threw the monarchy and Hindu kingdom into the river and are now fishing in these murky waters. We took the risk and paid the price for our actions. Now, we’re ready to launch a movement starting March 14. They think of me as their shepherd, but I’m no one’s shepherd.”
“I ask them, how many people have you employed? I have employed 5,000 people. Doctors, professors, chartered accountants — all working with me. When I take action, I do it like the king. If I protest, I stand with the king. I don’t act like others, parading on the streets with empty gestures. Let it be clear – I am not anyone’s shepherd.”
“I also want to tell the king to think carefully. In this fight, you should be the charioteer, guiding the chariot. I will be Arjuna (a protagonist character in Mahabharat, firing the arrows. But don’t go looking for a Kali Yuga Arjuna like Durga Prasai. If you find one, let me know.”
“You’ve seen your charioteers and Arjunas. Go ahead, enjoy your feast in the republic. Call Khadga Prasad Oli and others. But once the atmosphere is set, you’ll realize you’ve been deceived.”
“Yesterday, you were undone by the same people in the palace. Your secretariat finished you, and today, it’s still finishing you. Tomorrow, it will finish you again. Be careful. I want to tell the king this: Your secretariat is not right.”
“Some people aspire to be Prime Minister, donning velvet robes and seeing the future. They claim I’m not destined to be Prime Minister. But I didn’t start this work to become Prime Minister. I am not worthy of it. My job is to change the system.”
“I am not greedy. I don’t care what you give or don’t give. I have nothing to gain from it. If I am to become Prime Minister, it will be the people who decide, not the king. Let everyone be aware of that.”
“I will do good work. For the past three years, I’ve fought for the common people, the oppressed, and those left behind. I’ve raised voices against the microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and banks that have exploited the Nepali people. These institutions have blacklisted our citizens and treated them as second-class citizens. This must end. My top priority is to waive loans below Rs. 2 million.”
“My primary goal is to reclaim the homes and lands of microfinance victims, cooperative victims, bank victims, and those whose properties have been auctioned by banks. I swear this on Durga Goddess and Pathibhara Goddess.”
“I’ve gone to Pathibhara and Durga, pledging that if this system doesn’t change, I will never return to see you again. I say it again — if this system doesn’t change, I will not be able to face my mother.”
“I am a true believer. I am a yogi — not the kind who wears yellow clothes. I don’t need anything. But when everyone tells me to be cautious, let it be clear: Durga Prasai is no one’s shepherd. I am the storm this era is waiting for. And this storm will sweep everything away.”
“I tell Rabi Lamichhane: If you want to save your future and the future of your party, join this campaign. Let’s change the system first. Once we change that, the rest will follow. The country is already on the ‘black list,’ and the situation is worsening. A ‘grey list’ is just a step before that. What goes up will not come down. What is broken will not be fixed easily.”
“Nationalist forces must unite. I tell them: Leave the Parliament and join our campaign. Let’s change the system. Whoever wants to be Prime Minister, I will write it down now.”
“By pushing the king from the palace, we have become the pawns of the Marwaris, rather than subjects of the king. Our brothers working in the Gulf should understand this. Does a Marwari send money home from the Gulf in 50-degree heat? Our people send remittances, yet the Marwaris control the money. And we sell their goods.”
“Everyone who claims to be a shop owner is actually working for the Marwaris. I understand it now. It’s over.”
“You might think Durga Prasai is angry with the king, or the king is angry with me. That’s not true. We have a good relationship, but there’s manipulation in the middle.”
“Yesterday, the king himself abolished the monarchy. He made it secular with money from USAID and the European Union. Now, after three years of hard work, we have created the atmosphere for change. Don’t you feel the people need this?”
“I’ve launched a campaign. If Nepali citizens, including microfinance victims, cooperative victims, bank victims, and the 7,000 Nepalis in prisons abroad, come to me and say, ‘Durga Prasai, launch a party,’ then we will. But for now, I will not work behind the scenes.”
“Some people aspire to be Prime Minister, donning velvet robes and seeing the future. They claim I’m not destined to be Prime Minister. But I didn’t start this work to become Prime Minister. I am not worthy of it. My job is to change the system.”
“Nationalist forces must unite. I tell them: Leave the Parliament and join our campaign. Let’s change the system. Whoever wants to be Prime Minister, I will write it down now.”
“Some RPP MPs have been playing the fool, hanging around like ‘bus conductors,’ showing off in front of the camera. But when I chased them, I felt immense joy. The work I’ve done in three years is successful. And I’m dancing in celebration!”
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