Monarchy in Nepal will continue to prevail - Kamal Thapa

http://www.telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=2641
Kamal Thapa, Leader Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal

Q1. How have you taken the Prachanda’s statement that all the nationalist forces irrespective of their political leanings in the past should unite to preserve the national sovereignty?

Thapa: It can, of course, be deemed as a positive one at a time when the country is passing through a tumultuous phase. Given the fact that the country’s sovereignty and unity is under attack from different quarters, the nation is in dire need of greater unity.

But, it is difficult to believe whether Maoist chairman Prachanda actually made this remark with sincerity or not.

There is a depressing disharmony between what the Maoists say and do.

Sometime back, they said they were ready to collaborate with royalist nationalists. But, they now are making attempts to eradicate the monarchy. This contradictory behavior of the Maoists has left enough space to raise doubt over their political integrity.

Q2. The CPN (Maoist) has been saying that they can well move ahead hand in hand with the nationalists with monarchical inclination after the kingship is completely alleviated.

Thapa: The monarchy is an indispensable part of the country’s independence and existence. It is a manifestation of fallaciousness to think that Nepali nationality can be strengthened by sidelining the institution of monarchy.

Q3. There are so many countries which show that national independence can be maintained well without the continuity of the monarchy. Why do you insist that Nepal will be unable to shield its sovereignty and independence in the absence of the monarchy?

Thapa: If we look into the recent political history of the world, we can find that four countries adopted the republican order by eliminating the monarchial systems over the last four decades. Among them, one country had to lose its independence and the second has been reeling under the civil war for the last 30 years. The third one is grappling with the fundamentalists and the fourth country was compelled to restore the monarchial system. In the context of Nepal, the nationality and the institution of monarchy are seamlessly interconnected. Such being the realities, I think it will be beneficial for Nepal to nurture its democratic set-up along with the institution of monarchy.

Q4. In the changed political climate of the country, on what basis the monarchy can be considered as the symbol of national unity?

Thapa: The country’s history bodes well the fact that the country’s sovereignty and independence had remained unaffected when the institution of monarchy was robust. Now, the monarchy has been sidelined and the country is on the verge of disintegration.

The principles of nationality and sovereignty of any country should be supported by solid bases. The effusive rhetoric alone cannot shield the national dignity.
The world history duly suggests that the national independence can be kept intact only with the preservation of traditional institutions and established norms and values apart from the consolidated unity among people.

What I would like to ask those who are infatuated with a republican order is that on what bases they can sustain the national unity in the political order they are whimsically advocating for.

Nepal’s democracy is in a fragile condition and the political parties are myopically indulging themselves in trivial matters. The leaders are working in tandem with the dictates of foreigners. How can any person in his/her right frame of mind believe these meek leaders will preserve the national dignity?

Q5. Then, do you mean the present separatist movement going on in the southern belt of the country will cease in case the continuity of the monarchy is ensured?

Thapa: The institution of monarchy has long played a pivotal role in keeping all the Nepali people belonging to different castes and communities together.

Now, the cloaked attempts are being made to create a rift between the Nepali people by tearing apart the institution of monarchy.

The main reason behind the prevalent disorder in the Terai can be ascribed to the attempts targeted to severely sabotage the monarchy. It was the institution of monarchy which had brought a harmony between the religiously and culturally diversified people. So, it is but natural to see the outbreak of chaos in the name of communal identity when the very institution is under brazen attacks. And, the significance of the monarchy to ensure the territorial integrity as well as the sovereignty of the country is here to stay.

So, are you confident about the continuation of the monarchy?

Thapa: Of course, the monarchy will continue to prevail. Let there be no doubt on it.

Q6. How do you opine the latest decision of the Seven-Party-Alliance (SPA) to declare the nation a republic?

Thapa: The SPA decision has blatantly mocked the fundamental rights of the sovereign people to decide on crucial issues.

The decision is unconstitutional and, against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the constituents of the SPA themselves. The decision is aimed at making the people bereft of their basic rights to shape the future of the country.
The decision also smacks off despotic tendencies of the SPA.

It has also nakedly disregarded the fact that the election to Constituent Assembly is mandatory to decide the fate of monarchy. It is also against the national interest.

So, it is spitefully unpalatable to the people of Nepal.

Q7. What are the fundamental bases to ensure that the monarchy will have a space in the future political set-up?

Thapa: The unwavering faith the people have reposed on the institution of monarchy is the prime basis. The second basis that justifies the need to give continuity to the monarchy is Nepal’s geo-political reality. Thirdly, the country’s religious, social and cultural values share intimate relations with the notion of monarchy. Lastly, the monarchy has historically remained the solid foundation for the country’s stability and national unity.

Q8. Since the key players of Nepali politics have clearly gone in favour of alleviating the monarchy, how can the bases you have forwarded will save the monarchy?

Thapa: When the Nepali Congress (NC) and the UML will closely see the true colours of the Maoists, they will voice for retaining the monarchy in order to secure their existence.

Q9. Even your former political partners now associated with the RPP led by the Pashupati Shumsher Rana have already omitted the provision of constitutional monarchy from their party stature. In this light, how can one believe that the institution of monarchy will not be abolished?

Thapa: If some people ridiculously try to declare the day a night by covering the sunlight, how can we believe on such declaration?

All political parties except the CPN (Maoist) were saying that the Nepal always needs the institution of monarchy just one and half years ago.
They must give convincing answer as to what propelled them to completely alter their views.

Their logic could be the mandate of the People’s Movement II.

Thapa: The People’s movement-II was not gravitated towards uprooting the monarchy. If the movement was meant for alleviating the monarchy, why G.P. Koirala accepted the king’s announcement to restore the dissolved parliament and why he took oath of office from the king. He should be considered as the traitor of the movement if the April Uprising was focused towards flushing out the monarchy.

On the other hand, the edifice of the People’s Movement-II was built on the foundation of the 12-point agreement signed in New Delhi, India.

In the agreement, you cannot find a single word about establishing a republican set up in the country by replacing the monarchy. Even if the mandate was for a republican set up, how many more days the SPA needs to fulfill this mandate?
They had promised to hold the election to constituent assembly by mid-June 2006 and they are yet to complete this task. For how long they want to continue their autocratic rule without being endorsed by people?

Q10. In your view, how has King Gyanendra perceived the unfolding political events in the country? Is he worried about the future of monarchy?

Thapa: Although I am not the spokesperson of the palace, I believe that he is observing the current political situation very closely.

If I have to say on the basis of my frequent meetings with King Gyanendra, he is gravely concerned about the pathetic situation of the country. However, he is also optimistic about the bright future of the country.

Q11. It can be safely predicted that most of the candidates belonging to the SPA will dominate the CA poll. In the light of the republican policy of the SPA, how can you claim that the monarchy will continue to prevail?

Thapa: If the CA poll is held in a free, fair and impartial, majority of the people will cast vote in favor of monarchy.

Q12. What efforts are you making for the sake of monarchy as a royalist?
Thapa: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nepal) firmly believes in democracy along with monarchical system. We will approach the people with this agenda.

Q13. Will the fringe party like RPP (N) and other forces, which are inclined towards the monarchy, secure majority in the CA?

Of course, we will secure majority and people will cast vote in favour of retaining monarchy in case the CA poll takes place in an unbiased manner.

Q14. It is alleged that people like you are responsible for paralyzing the monarchy to the extent it is today. This allegation does not seem completely bereft of logic given the fact that you had handled the key ministerial portfolios during the former royal regime. How do you justify yourself?

Thapa: I am unfaltering by committed to my philosophy and will remain so. Those who just wanted to satiate their greed by maintaining proximity with the institution of monarchy are mainly responsible for the present situation of the monarchy.

Q15. Are you aspiring for a ceremonial monarchy or constitutional monarchy?
Thapa: We are in favor of retaining monarchy either in a form of ceremonial or constitutional monarchy. The king must remain as the symbol of national unity but the representatives of people should be entitled to exercise executive powers.

Q16. You claim yourselves as a nationalist. But, we have not seen you raising voices against the continuous encroachment of the Nepali territory by India.

Thapa: The government must be answerable to the people regarding the encroachment of Nepali lands. Our party is raising this issue besides other various issues connected with the nationality of the country. But, we have been barred from carrying out our activities.

Q17. Why have the “nationalists” remained silence over the controversial ‘Citizenship Act’ that have allowed many aliens to obtain Nepali citizenship certificates?

Thapa: There should be no confusion that all the Nepalese should get citizenship certificates with ease. But, the major political parties have acted against the aspirations of People’s Movement-II. These unscrupulous acts include the introduction of Citizenship Act, declaring the nation a secular state as well as a republic.

The key political actors of the present day Nepal are committing inexcusable mistakes by bowing down to the dictates of wicked foreigners.

Q18. What do you think about the possibility of CA poll to be held within mid –April, 2008?

Thapa: Whether the CA polls would be held on the new date basically hinges on three vital issues.

Firstly, if the Maoists are still not sincere to the CA, it will continue to remain a distant dream. Secondly, the inability on the part of the government to efficaciously deal with the problems related to various disgruntled communities will also be detrimental to the conduct of the CA poll on the newly scheduled date. Thirdly, the government must ensure a politically neutral climate to hold the CA poll within the mid-April, 2008.

Courtesy: The Weekly Mirror dated January 4, 08, Exclusive Interview with the chief editor, Ms. Prem Kumari Pant)

2008-01-04 13:47:17