KATHMANDU: As Nepal nears a decade of federal democratic republicanism, pro-monarchy leaders are expressing anger at former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai.
The backlash came after Dr. Bhattarai responded to a television segment discussing a video message by former King Gyanendra Shah, which was released on the eve of the 75th Democracy Day.
Bhattarai, who is also the chairman of the Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti), warned that if political parties fail to offer a viable alternative to the people by the next election, reactionary forces like former King Gyanendra could be revived.
He pointed out the risk of external forces exploiting people’s religious beliefs to overthrow the system.
“If we are unable to provide an alternative by 2084 BS, there is a risk that reactionary forces like Gyanendra will be stirred up. External forces may exploit the religious sentiments of the people to promote them, and this system could be overturned again,” Bhattarai had said.
“Therefore, we must work hard to provide an alternative in the next two to three years. We must remain aware that neither internal nor external reactionary forces should be allowed to take root.”
Meanwhile, leaders of the two parties advocating for the monarchy – the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP Nepal – have voiced their anger at Bhattarai’s recent comments, especially given his role in the armed conflict against the state as a key leader of the CPN-Maoist.
Top leaders from both parties have taken to social media to express their displeasure.
Among those condemning Bhattarai’s remarks are RPP Senior Vice Chair Rabindra Mishra, former Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, and RPP Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa.
Mishra called Bhattarai’s statement a “disrespectful comment.” On the other hand, Dr. Lohani remarked that Bhattarai shows no respect for the country, while Thapa argued that Bhattarai has no right to undermine the rights granted by the constitution.
Mishra shared a two-minute video on Facebook titled “Nonsense,” questioning Bhattarai’s sincerity: “Baburam Bhattarai, remember the proposal you sent to the king before the first Constituent Assembly election in 2064 BS. If the king had been willing to seize power, sidelining Nepali Congress and UML, would monarchy have been acceptable? Or are you truly a republican?”
Bhattarai responded briefly to the “disrespectful” comment made after King Gyanendra’s statement on Falgun 7, stating in a video, “Baburamji, you and I keep repeating the same thing. I recently commented on the statement you made regarding the king on Falgun 7, which I would call a trivial comment. You often make such trivial remarks.”
Mishra also made serious allegations, claiming that Bhattarai had proposed an alliance with the Maoists and the king to seize power just before the first Constituent Assembly elections in 2064.
Mishra further questioned whether Bhattarai had discussed sidelining the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML with Gyanendra at that time.
Mishra claimed that Bhattarai’s proposal to King Gyanendra included a plan to bring Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ into a second round of negotiations.
He reminded viewers that Dr. Bhattarai had previously spoken about a “cultural king” in a television interview.
In his video, Mishra stressed that Dr. Bhattarai’s ‘dialogue’ with the former king still resonates today.
“It’s better for someone who has served as Prime Minister, like you, not to engage in such actions,” Mishra stated.
“Now, the king has expressed the sentiment that we should all work together to build a country that doesn’t exclude anyone. People like you should support that sentiment. Because this country is not moving in the direction you desire.”
RPP Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa also expressed his dissatisfaction with Bhattarai’s views, particularly his suggestion that the former king’s thoughts and activities should be controlled through Facebook.
Thapa remarked, “The constitution itself guarantees the right to change the federal secular republic if the people desire it. Who gave Dr. Baburam the right to thwart or prohibit that right?”
He went on to criticize Dr. Bhattarai’s stance, calling it “autocratic and fascist” to attempt to control the thoughts and activities of the former king just because he has expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation and system.
Thapa, referring to former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai as his classmate, reminded King Gyanendra, as a citizen, that the constitution grants him the right to express concerns about the state of the country and to offer help in resolving the crisis.
He also recalled that Bhattarai, like RPP Senior Vice President Mishra, had proposed cooperation with the then monarchy during the Hapure (Dang) talks in 2060 BS, as well as before the first Constituent Assembly elections.
“I now remember that Baburam himself proposed through me that he was ready to cooperate with the king, not only during the Hapure talks in 2060 BS but also during the meeting with Prachanda before the Constituent Assembly elections,” Thapa remarked.
RPP leader Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani also advised Bhattarai not to be too angry over the former king’s statement.
“Baburam Bhattarai, King Gyanendra has become very upset with me after I said that I will move forward now. Don’t get too angry,” Lohani wrote on Facebook. “I’m worried that my friend’s blood pressure will rise.”
Lohani further reminded Bhattarai that Nepal belongs to no one and is not anyone’s “friend.”
“You have to do politics, and King Gyanendra can’t just sit idly by while the country faces its plight. Can’t he say, ‘I’ll come forward and help?’” Lohani questioned.
“Is this country your personal property? Or do you still harbor traces of Stalinism?”
Lohani also warned Bhattarai against adopting an attitude where he believes that everyone else is wrong and only he knows the ultimate truth, stating that such behavior could eventually lead to fascism.
“Best wishes for your new party,” Lohani added, addressing Bhattarai, the newly elected chairman of the Nepali Socialist Party.
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