KATHMANDU: As the royalists rally, the Maoist Center-led Socialist Front has also planned a demonstration in Kathmandu on March 28.
With no immediate change in government on the horizon, the Socialist Front will demonstrate its strength in Kathmandu on that day.
Durga Prasai, who has recently emerged as a staunch royalist, has announced a protest in Kathmandu on the same day.
The Nepali month of Chaitra (March) is traditionally known as a month of protests, but concerns are rising over potential clashes between republicans and royalists taking to the streets simultaneously.
Prasai has already made it clear that he intends to escalate the protest, declaring that now is the “decisive time” to restore the monarchy.
On March 9, monarchists staged a protest in the name of welcoming the king. Meanwhile, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has labeled the royalist movement an “unseasonal gong.”
Front Heating Up: Opposition to the Government and Royalists
Nepal faces two significant tensions right now. The first is the failure of the KP Sharma Oli-led government, which, despite holding nearly two-thirds of the vote, has struggled to deliver results.
The second is the rise of monarchists, who are seeking to exploit public dissatisfaction with the government’s performance.
The government, consisting of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Janamat Party, Janata Samajwadi Party, and the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, faces mounting criticism.
Monarchists are trying to capitalize on the frustration felt by many Nepalis due to the lack of progress.
At the same time, the Socialist Front is also mobilizing protests against the government. The Front includes the Maoist Center, Unified Socialist, Nepal Socialist Party, and the Nepal Communist Party, which remains outside parliamentary politics.
The Front has concluded that the rights of Nepali citizens are being undermined by the federal democratic republican system and the undemocratic actions of those in power.
Prachanda, who stepped down as Prime Minister nine months ago, blames the government for fueling the rise of monarchists.
He has pointed to the worsening economy, citing increased corruption, commission-taking, and black-marketing, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to these issues.
He believes the government’s failures have led to a crisis in the livelihoods of the Nepali people.
“The government is more focused on fulfilling the interests of middlemen and brokers, mocking democratic values,” Prachanda said.
“It is running the country through ordinances, bypassing Parliament, and controlling bills. People’s anger is growing, and it is clear that the government is ignoring the consequences. Even when reactionaries reached Narayanhiti’s gates, the government did nothing to change course. This is a clear signal of public discontent.”
Following Prachanda’s statements, the Socialist Front announced its intention to protest, claiming that the demonstration was in defense of federalism and the republic.
Maoist Center General Secretary Dev Gurung said the protests were necessary to warn both the government and the monarchists.
“The primary task of current national politics is to protect the republic and move toward socialism with Nepali characteristics,” Gurung explained.
“The responsibility for this lies with the Socialist Front. Reactionaries are trying to restore the monarchy, taking advantage of the people’s dissatisfaction with the government’s arbitrariness and wrongdoings. The government is failing to instill hope in the public.”
He added that no one has the right to cause unrest in the country, stressing the importance of safeguarding the republic.
Unified Socialist Party Vice Chair Rajendra Pandey also stated that republican forces are uniting to prevent the monarchy’s return.
“We fought hard for the republic, and now the forces behind the monarchy are trying to exploit public discontent,” he said.
“The problem arose when the two major parties failed to deliver. The streets are in turmoil because the law applies differently to those in power and those outside.”
Maoist Vice-Chair Pampha Bhusal also expressed concerns that royalists are trying to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the government.
“The republic we fought for is strong. We are taking to the streets to challenge the government and warn the reactionaries,” she said.
Asked whether the royalists’ actions should be cause for alarm, Bhusal added, “The republic is not weakening. The royalists have taken to the streets because of the republicans. We must all improve—both those in government and the royalists.”
Maoist General Secretary Gurung confirmed that the Socialist Front has not yet finalized a venue for its protest but assured that the program will be held in Kathmandu with a large public gathering.
Countering the Front: The Monarchist Movement
Former King Gyanendra Shah returned to Kathmandu on March 9 after completing his visit to Gandaki Province.
Upon his arrival, monarchist parties, including the RPP and RPP Nepal, were present. Durga Prasai, a prominent medical entrepreneur leading the movement to bring back the king, also joined the crowd.
He was seen traveling in a vehicle resembling that of the former king, accompanied by some of his supporters.
Afterward, an enthusiastic Prasai held a press conference, claiming he was a bigger monarchist than the RPP and RPP Nepal.
He accused RPP leaders of treating him like a “shepherd” and insisted that he was not their subordinate.
Prasai argued that the former king’s secretariat was disorganized after he was denied entry to Nirmal Niwas.
He alleged that, despite his efforts to organize an event to bring the king to Nirmal Niwas, RPP leaders intervened and took control.
Prasai further declared that he would not cooperate with RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden or RPP Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa, suggesting that if necessary, he would abandon parliament and take to the streets.
“When I cooperate, I do it like the king does,” he said. “If I protest, I’ll do it alongside the king. I won’t take to the streets with shepherds to put on a drama. Let everyone be clear: I am no one’s shepherd.”
He then announced plans for a protest on Chaitra 15, urging both monarchist and republican parties to prepare for a decisive moment. However, neither the RPP nor RPP Nepal have shown any support for his planned street protest, and Prasai has not consulted with them on the matter.
According to RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha, no RPP leader or member will participate in Prasai’s protest.
“There has been no discussion or decision to join the protest. Why join it? There are other opportunities,” Shrestha told Khabarhub. “We are not planning to participate in this movement.”
Prasai’s supporters claim they aim to gather 10,000 people for the protest, although he has previously promised large crowds and failed to deliver on that commitment.
Clash with the Front after UML
The Socialist Front had announced its own street demonstration for the same afternoon.
Upon hearing of this, Prasai, excited by the announcement, declared that he too would hold a public demonstration on the same day.
This follows his history of clashes with the UML. Initially supported by the Maoists, then the UML, and now standing independently, Prasai appears to be seeking power by aligning himself with larger political forces.
According to his secretariat, the demonstration may take place in the Koteshwor area, northeast of Baneshwor.
Analyst’s Perspective: Parties Should Reflect on Their Actions
Political analyst Surendra Labh describes Prasai’s push to restore the monarchy as a movement that comes at an inopportune time.
He argues that the movement is unlikely to succeed because monarchist factions are divided and infighting.
However, Labh acknowledges that if republican parties fail to meet public expectations, this could signal a more significant threat. Therefore, he advises republican parties to adopt a more people-friendly approach.
Labh believes it is natural for the Socialist Front to take to the streets, asserting that no one will succeed by following Prasai.
“The return of the king is untimely,” he said. “It indicates that republicans have not fulfilled the people’s expectations. It’s right for the Socialist Front to protest and put pressure on the government.
However, if their goal is simply to defeat monarchists, they should first improve themselves. Durga Prasai is doing this to raise his own profile. This is the beauty of democracy—peaceful protests are allowed.”
He further cautioned that if political parties do not improve their practices, more opposition forces will emerge over time.
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