KATHMANDU: UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has claimed that attempts are being made to reverse Nepal’s political progress by reviving the monarchy and elevating former King Gyanendra Shah.
Speaking at a ward-level campaign launch in Kapilvastu on Wednesday, Pokharel stated that while the 2006 People’s Movement successfully abolished the monarchy, some forces are now working to restore elements of the old system.
He accused these forces of using the former king as a tool to destabilize Nepal’s political transformation.
“The ghost of the Panchayat system has begun to resurface,” Pokharel said. “By forcing the former king to issue statements, certain groups are trying to dismantle the achievements of our political change.”
He urged UML cadres to actively defend the political transformation and work toward institutionalizing the achievements of past movements.
He stressed that while the monarchy was removed, Nepal has yet to achieve the full success of its political revolution.
“The feudal monarchy has been abolished, but that alone is not enough,” Pokharel said. “Now we must work towards fully institutionalizing the changes we fought for and completing the revolution.”
Pokharel also emphasized the need for a strong and stable political force in Nepal. He reiterated his long-standing argument that political instability would only end if Nepal had two dominant political parties, ensuring the formation of a stable government.
“I have always said that unstable politics will end when we have two strong parties,” he said. “We are not advocating for banning other parties, but we must increase the electoral threshold to ensure stability.”
He further criticized the current state of Nepal’s political landscape, likening it to a “retail shop of politics,” where fragmented parties hinder progress. However, he maintained that democratic values would be upheld and that no party would be prevented from contesting elections or assuming power.
Pokharel’s remarks come amid renewed discussions in political circles regarding the former king’s public appearances and statements.
His comments reflect growing concerns among republican leaders about the potential resurgence of monarchist sentiment in Nepal.
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