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Nepal set to issue proclamation curtailing the King's powers

Ameet Dhakal

Government move follows violent protests in various parts of Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Government headed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has decided to table in Parliament on Thursday a proclamation drastically curtailing the powers of the King.

The move by the Government came after angry mobs set fire to vehicles and burnt tyres in various parts of Kathmandu in protest against the Government's decision on Monday to defer the proclamation till differences among political parties over the issue were ironed out.

Cabinet expansion

At a hurriedly called press conference, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said on Tuesday the Government would table the proclamation in the House on Thursday and most likely, it would be passed on the same day.

Earlier in the day, protests erupted at Kalanki, Thapathali, Tripureshwor, Singhadurbar and Swoyambhu areas. The crowd, however, was relatively small comprising some 100 persons in each of these protests.

The demonstrators also shouted slogans against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for his alleged stance that the King should be continued as the Supreme Commander of the army.

Mr. Deuba, in a statement on Monday, denied having said that. Mr. Deuba's party, Nepali Congress (Democratic), issued another statement on Tuesday reiterating that the army should be brought under Parliament's control. It also said the party was in favour of renaming the Government and the army as "Nepal Government" and "Nepal Army" in place of "His Majesty's Government" and "Royal Nepalese Army."

The Home Minister said Cabinet expansion was the main reason behind the delay in issuing the proclamation. "Once the Cabinet is expanded, it will endorse the proclamation and table it in the House," he said. The seven-member Cabinet will be expanded before Thursday.

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