Nepal's ex-king, Gyanendra Shah, has been named as the main mastermind behind the bloodshed that plagued the nation in the recent string of violent protests, political leaders said.
In a key gathering called by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, Nepal's republican-leaning political parties indicted Shah of conspiring to discredit the country's constitution and for plotting to dismantle the federal democratic system, the local media quoted.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stated that all major political parties had agreed on protecting the constitution as well as ensuring national security and development.
"No anti-constitutional activities will be tolerated," Lekhak said during a press briefing after the meeting.
Regardless of ideological variations among the parties, former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, the Nepal Samajbadi Party (NSP) leader, appealed for political solidarity against what he called Shah's anti-republican tactics.
"Gyanendra Shah has continued to act like he is still on the throne. Political forces and the administration have tolerated his behavior with undue leniency. But this March 28 incident, caused by him, went too far—it was criminal. I've suggested at the all-party gathering that he be taken to law," Bhattarai told the media.
Exclusion of Key Parties Sparks Controversy
Interestingly, Nepal's fourth- and fifth-largest parties, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), were excluded from the all-party meet on Sunday. The Kathmandu Post reported that the two parties are viewed as anti-republican in nature.
The RPP, the two senior leaders of which were arrested over the protests, has called for an independent inquiry into what happened. The party also made a daring challenge to the government over the alleged involvement of the former king.
"We challenge the government to arrest the ex-king. Monarchy should not be implicated in controversy, but if they dare to arrest him, we will demonstrate our strength," RPP chairman Rajendra Lingden said in a statement to the press.
Moreover, the RPP threatened more street protests if their arrested leaders—senior vice president Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Sumsher Rana—were not released. The Kathmandu District Court (KDC) has charged both of them with treason and extended their custody until Tuesday.
Escalating Clashes and Arrests
Around 100 people have been arrested by authorities in relation to the protests, but only 42 have been officially brought before court as investigations are ongoing, reports The Himalayan.
Tensions in Kathmandu boiled over on Friday, with violent confrontations between security forces and pro-monarchy protesters calling for the restoration of Nepal's defunct monarchy. The violence left two dead and hundreds injured.
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