Nepal Parliament urges Govt to act against king
NEPAL: Nepal's interim parliament ordered the government to
take action against King Gyanendra as lawmakers accused the monarch of
delivering a politically-motivated message against the spirit of
democracy and constitution.
This is the first time that parliament has sought action against the
king, who recently used a public holiday celebrating democracy to defend
his 14 months of absolute rule and made a tepid apology for any
mistakes.
"The House unanimously passed the bill seeking the government's
action against the king for his undemocratic and unconstitutional
message," said Subash Nemwang, speaker of parliament.
The bill was tabled by lawmaker Ram Chandra Poudel, senior leader of
Nepali Congress, the largest party in the 330-member interim legislature
during Wednesday's sitting. "The king's statement challenged the
democratic change in the country. He has no right to give unauthorized
message after being stripped of his power," Poudel said in the bill.
King Gyanendra on Monday said in a statement issued by the royal
palace secretariat that he dismissed the government in February 2005
because of its inability to hold elections while under threat from
Maoist rebels.
The king, however, said he was "morally responsible for any success
or failure" of his rule, which ended in April 2006. More than a dozen
protesters died during demonstrations against absolute rule and security
forces arrested hundreds of others.
The king's remarks drew fierce criticism from political parties and
sparked immediate protests from the Maoists in the Himalayan nation,
where republic sentiment has been growing.
In January, parliament approved the interim constitution that
formally stripped Gyanendra of his status as head of state, including
control of the army, with his executive powers passing to the premier.
The Maoists, who have been granted 83 seats in the present
parliament, have stepped up calls for the monarchy to be abolished.
Kathmandu, Thursday, AFP |