King returns power to people

Gyanendra says seven-party alliance will be asked to choose a PM, but parties not convinced

Nepal's King Gyanendra today gave in to pressure from the people of Nepal and the international community and announced he was returning "executive power to the people."

He said the seven-party alliance would be asked to designate a prime minister as a first step towards elections. Political parties, however, said this was a mere "concession" and went into a huddle.

In an address to the nation, Gyanendra said his dynasty had an "unflinching commitment towards constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy."

However, political parties said his words held no credibility. There were reports that even as the king was on air, two top Communist leaders, Jhalanath Khanal and Bamdev Gautam, who had been liaising between the seven-party alliance and Maoists, were arrested at the Tribhuvan airport.

Gyanendra's move is in accordance with Article 35 of the 1990 Nepal Constitution which gives him formal status as part of both the executive and the legislature.

Today's announcement, political parties said, was just an attempt to wipe out events since 2002, when a newly-appointed Gyanendra dismissed the prime minister and his Cabinet for "incompetence" after dissolving Parliament on their advice.

In June 2004, stopping short of re-establishing Parliament, Gyanendra reinstated the prime minister, who formed a four-party coalition government, tasked with preparing the ground for elections in February-March 2005. But the king sacked the government and assumed power in February 2005.

Today's announcement came as a one lakh-strong crowd defied a 28-hour curfew and strained against barricades outside Kathmandu. By afternoon, in an interview, US Ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty said, "His time is running out. Ultimately, the king will have to leave if he doesn't compromise. And by "ultimately", I mean sooner rather than later".

New Delhi reacted favourably to the king's address. "This action by His Majesty the King of Nepal, who has reaffirmed his commitment to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy, should now pave the way for restoration of political stability and economic recovery of the country", it said, pointing out that the king's reign had been bad for the people.

"The people of Nepal have undergone acute suffering and economic hardship during the last several months but have always kept their faith in democracy and freedom. They deserve our respect and admiration," it added.

On the streets of Kathmandu, after the king's speech, the police and army personnel just walked away from the barricades, leaving lakhs of people free to roam the streets in search of their leaders.

The parties are holding a meeting tomorrow morning to finalise the next step.

Karan Singh, who had handed over to the king a letter from the prime minister, is believed to have told the monarch clearly that he must immediately restore multi-party democracy as the situation was slipping out of his hands. He also held talks with various political leaders.

Karan stressed the need for initiating a "genuine" dialogue with political parties and said India was ready to help Nepal emerge out of the current crisis.

Asked about the king's road map for restoration of democracy, the envoy said, "I am not going into details. We must give time to the king to clearly think over it and not dictate. Nepal is an independent country."

His meeting with the prime minister was also attended by National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.

Karan Singh also briefed Congress President Sonia Gandhi about the visit. He dismissed a suggestion that he looked "frustrated" after his two-day visit. "I never get frustrated". Asked whether he cut short his visit to Nepal, he replied in the negative.