Wednesday, 28 May , 2008, 01:45
Kathmandu: Nepal's embattled King Gyanedra on Tuesday spent his last day on throne closeted with his aides at Narayanhiti Palace here, anxiously awaiting his fate as the Constituent Assembly members were sworn in ahead of its crucial maiden session that will draw the curtains on the 240-year-old monarchy.
Rallies have been banned and riot police deployed at all sensitive places as a jittery government stepped up security following a series of bomb blasts in capital including near the venue of the Assembly meeting, the Birendra International Convention Centre, ironically named after Gyanedra's slain elder brother.
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Gyanendra has been asked to voluntarily vacate the Narayanhiti palace where his great grand father King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah shifted nearly 124 years ago. The 60-year monarch left for a weekend retreat at Nagarjuna palace on the outskirts of the capital but returned on Monday evening, sources said.
The Constituent Assembly meeting on Wednesday will accomplish what the Maoists, who are set to rule the country after giving up their decade-long armed struggle in 2006, aspired for, the end of monarchy that was perhaps hastened by Gyanendra's power grab in 2005 that alienated the ruler from the people and political parties.
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ascended the throne of the world's only surviving Hindu monarchy in dramatic and controversial circumstances in 2001 after his brother King Birendra and his family were killed in a massacre allegedly carried out by Crown Prince Dipendra at the royal palace.
Gyanedra’s enthronement had intensified the three-way power struggle among Nepal's political parties, a spiralling violent Maoist movement and the King himself which finally culminated in the sacking of the elected Sher Bahadur Deuba government in October 2002.
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A year later he declared a state of emergency and sent troops after the rebels when peace talks collapsed. Gyanendra appointed a series of prime ministers-- Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Surya Bahadur Thapa and Deuba who was sacked again in February 2005 after which the monarch assumed absolute powers drawing international condemnation.
The King's ostensible reason for the royal coup, the first since Nepal had an elected prime minister in 1991, was that the government had failed to check Maoists led by Prachanda who was virtually running a parallel government in the country's rural areas.
A year later he declared a state of emergency and sent troops after the rebels when peace talks collapsed. Gyanendra appointed a series of prime ministers-- Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Surya Bahadur Thapa and Deuba who was sacked again in February 2005 after which the monarch assumed absolute powers drawing international condemnation.
The King's ostensible reason for the royal coup, the first since Nepal had an elected prime minister in 1991, was that the government had failed to check Maoists led by Prachanda who was virtually running a parallel government in the country's rural areas.
Gyanendra insisted that he was still committed to democracy and multi-party rule and repeatedly pledged to hold general elections by 2007. Local elections, opposed by the rebels and parties, took place in February 2006.
The King, traditionally believed by Nepalese as a reincarnation of Hindu deities, however, became increasingly unpopular following a crackdown on political parties, media and Maoists.
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In April 2006, the major political parties unitedly launched massive street protests against the King forcing him to reinstate the previous parliament.
The King, traditionally believed by Nepalese as a reincarnation of Hindu deities, however, became increasingly unpopular following a crackdown on political parties, media and Maoists.
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In April 2006, the major political parties unitedly launched massive street protests against the King forcing him to reinstate the previous parliament.
The seven-party alliance signed a landmark peace deal with the Maoists in November 2006 after which the rebels gave up their armed struggle and joined a unity government.
The interim parliament stripped Gyanendra of all his powers in June last year, announced nationalistaion of royal property, removed the monarch's face from its currency and ended his mandatory presence at major national and religious functions.
The Maoists, led by Prachanda, however, were not satisfied and withdrew from the government in September, demanding abolition of the monarchy.
The interim parliament passed a resolution declaring Nepal a republic in December, subject to ratification by the first session of the Constituent Assembly.
The interim parliament stripped Gyanendra of all his powers in June last year, announced nationalistaion of royal property, removed the monarch's face from its currency and ended his mandatory presence at major national and religious functions.
The Maoists, led by Prachanda, however, were not satisfied and withdrew from the government in September, demanding abolition of the monarchy.
The interim parliament passed a resolution declaring Nepal a republic in December, subject to ratification by the first session of the Constituent Assembly.
A surprise Maoist victory in the April 10 Constituent Assembly polls was the last nail in the coffin for the monarchy as the former rebels with 220 seats emerged as the biggest party in the 601-member body that will rewrite the country's Constitution.
Prachanda, who is set to lead the next government, has said he can assure the safety of the King and his family only if they follow the people's verdict and quit peacefully.
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He also opposed the king taking refuge in India or any other country saying he should stay in Nepal to manage his business or join politics.
King Gyanendra has had a tumultuous journey beginning from an age of three when he was made the king in November 1950 after the power tussle between his grandfather King Tribhuvan and his prime minister Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana escalated, and the monarch, fearful of his safety, fled to India.
The King's son, Crown Prince Mahendra and his eldest grandson Prince Birendra accompanied him while Gyanedra was left in the palace.
Prachanda, who is set to lead the next government, has said he can assure the safety of the King and his family only if they follow the people's verdict and quit peacefully.
For more International news For more Political news For more Offbeat news
He also opposed the king taking refuge in India or any other country saying he should stay in Nepal to manage his business or join politics.
King Gyanendra has had a tumultuous journey beginning from an age of three when he was made the king in November 1950 after the power tussle between his grandfather King Tribhuvan and his prime minister Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana escalated, and the monarch, fearful of his safety, fled to India.
The King's son, Crown Prince Mahendra and his eldest grandson Prince Birendra accompanied him while Gyanedra was left in the palace.
Gyanendra was declared King by then Prime Minister Rana till 7 January, 1951. However, the Rana dynasty that had reduced the King of Nepal to a figurehead while ruling the country through hereditary government positions was ousted following an uprising which led to the resignation of Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana the last Rana Prime minister and return of King Tribhuvan to Nepal
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