By Our Reporter

The pro-monarchy forces which were seen divided during the violent Tinkune demonstration of March 28, are now seen united.

It was evident from the programme organised by RPP-Nepal led by Kamal Thapa at Shantibatika on Monday.

Not only the top leaders of the two RPPs, including Rajendra Lingden, chairman of RPP, but also leaders of other pro-monarchy groups were present in the programme.

When Thapa, Lingden, Keshar Bahadur Bista and Nawaraj Subedi attended the event together, it is now realised that the pro-monarchy forces are gaining strength.

Earlier, they were not ready to accept each other's leadership and to overcome this, octogenarian leader Nabaraj Subedi was made the coordinator of the street shows of the pro-monarchy groups. Subedi led the demonstration on March 28.

RPP-Nepal had organised the mass meeting at Shantibatika demanding the release of those arrested in the cases related to the Tinkune incident.

The Shantibtika programme of RPP-N also showed that the rift between Lingden and Kamal Thapa which had widened after the latter lost the election for RPP chairmanship to Lingden three years ago, has now been narrowed.

During the 2021 general convention, then RPP Chairperson Thapa pledged to remain with the party and advance its agenda regardless of the election outcome. Thapa lost to Lingden for the position of party chairperson by 227 votes. Following the defeat, Thapa’s involvement in the RPP declined significantly. He accused former King Gyanendra of orchestrating his loss, which strained his relationship with both Lingden and the former king.

Subsequently, Thapa founded RPP Nepal with the agenda of reinstating the monarchy and establishing Nepal as a Hindu state. Since then, Thapa and Lingden have pursued separate campaigns without appearing together, despite sharing similar agendas. Their inability to acknowledge each other’s legitimacy has been a key reason for their division.

Although both advocate for the restoration of the monarchy, they did not share a platform until Monday, when they appeared together at Shatibatika.

Lingden, Thapa, and Nabaraj Subedi, head of a joint committee for the restoration of the monarchy, appeared together on the same stage on Monday.

Lingden, at the Shantibatika event, expressed solidarity with any peaceful campaign supporting the restoration of the monarchy and a Hindu state.

Similarly, RPP Nepal Chairperson Thapa stated that the goals of restoring the Hindu state and monarchy could be achieved swiftly if like-minded groups unite.