Some Nepalis miss monarchy amid frustration with democracy

As Nepal prepares to welcome Britain's Prince Harry this weekend, there's a yearning among some Nepalis fed up with the political instability and bureaucratic malaise to bring back the monarchy they abolished nearly a decade ago.
The new constitution that enshrined the country's democratic principles took seven years to craft and still isn't fully enforced. Ethnic protests and energy shortages plague the country. Efforts to rebuild after last year's earthquake have been stalled by red tape.
It is unlikely the monarchy will be restored, but a small and growing number of Nepalis are wondering if the country made the right choice when tens of thousands of protesters poured into the streets in 2006, calling on King Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule, blaming the monarchy for corruption, economic stagnation and everything that was wrong with the country.

Amid high hopes, the royal system was abolished in favor of a democratically elected parliament that would choose a president. But eight years later, Nepal's fledgling democracy has brought mostly frustration and disappointment, and many would argue that the country is actually worse off.
Inflation has doubled to 12 per cent over the past decade, and the country's ranking on Transparency International's corruption index has dropped from 90 in 2004 and 130 last year.
The much-desired constitution has generated protests among ethnic groups in the south who have blocked roads that have led to severe shortages of fuel, medicine and other supplies.

"It is natural for people to think about the monarchy since the political parties have failed to deliver on their promises. All the reasons that the king was kicked out for has gotten worse," said Keshab Poudel, editor of the Spotlight newsmagazine in Kathmandu.

The pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal is gaining more support. It won only four seats in 2008 elections, but jumped to 24 seats in 2013 to become the fourth-largest party and part of the coalition government.
Their chief, Kamal Thapa, is the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.
"Our main objectives are return of constitutional monarch and reverence back to a Hindu nation. We are already gaining popularity because there is no security or peace in the country and everything is going from bad to worse," Tanka Dhakal, deputy leader of the party. "The idea of getting the monarch back is getting more attractive.