By Our Reporter

In 17 years after the country was officially declared a republic by abolishing the monarchy with the backing of the foreign powers, the republicans and monarchists are now in direct confrontation. Surprisingly, republicans are creating propaganda that the pro-monarchists, not the republicans, are now backed by the Indian establishment. They argue that the display of a banner consisting of the photo of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi in the mega pro-monarchy rally organised in Kathmandu on March 9 when former King Gyanendra returned to Kathmandu from Pokhara.  

Since the March 9 rally, which was the biggest ever organised by the pro-king groups after the downfall of the crown in 2008, the nation has been polarised into two factions—republicans vs royalists.

While the big three parties—NC, UML and the Maoist Centre are leading the republicans, Durga Prasain, RPPs and other minor groups are spearheading the pro-monarchy movements.

Although the Nepali Congress has not announced any programme to counter the increasing activities of the royalists, the two communist parties—UML and the Maoist Centre-- have already announced a campaign for safeguarding the republic set up.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in their every public address, have been denouncing the pro-royalist activities with Dahal directly pouring venoms against the former king while NC President Sher Bahadur seems undermining the activities. NC even decided that there was no need to launch any movement targeting the activities of the former king. Yet, Deuba has been criticising the former king referring to his imprisonment during the direct rule of the king.

While political leaders are criticising the former king in Kathmandu, former King Gayanedra is reaching out to the people in the name of performing poojas. Recently, he reached Gorkha where he received a warm welcome. Gorkha is the district dominated by the Maoists and Maoist chair Dahal was also elected to the House of Representatives from Gorkha in the 2022 election.

Moreover, the Maoists and the parties associated with the Socialist Front have planned an assembly in Kathmandu to counter the Durga Prasain-led pro-monarchy assembly on March 28. Likewise, the UML has already announced to hold rallies and other activities targeting the pro-monarchist forces.  Meanwhile, the RPP has also announced mass rallies in different districts to restore the monarchy and Hindu Kingdom.

It seems the tussles between the two will continue for a few months.