Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost

King's TV Interview

King's Television Interview: Part 1, Part 2. Being "seen and heard!"

Part 1: People want peace and then development. There is a difficult situation throughout the country, but things are harder in the west. Karnali is a special case. Dolpa is particularly remote. I have been stressing road construction. You must have noticed. We must connect all the district headquarters. His Majesty King Prithvi talked of the country as a gardern. It is for the monarchy to water all the flowers. The state has been giving peace a priority. Because that is what the people want more than anything else, more than development. It is also about mental peace. Some elements have been spreading violence. I have heard they are also engaged in extortions and spreading terror. I have heard terror has been directed towards industries. This fraternal disunity benefits others. They should think first of national unity. If they do, some conclusion will be reached. They might have started out politically, but now they have lost their way. They had 41 demands, I once heard. Some of them were good too. The governments of the time did not approach those demands positively. The 21-point program we have launched seeks to address some of those demands. The state can not do all. People's participation is key. In this day and age, it is the people and their representatives who have to come forward. Those who claim to be representatives should really work to represent the people. Any one person or the state can not take care of everything. Now that we are back in the capital, we have to analyze all we heard. I thank the people for coming to see me in large numbers. They braved the summer heat to see me. Flowers in their hands had withered, but they still stood and waited. Some elements tried to disturb this, but the people have already answered them.

Part 2: What I learned from the people is patience. They patiently waited to see their king. We have to hear all voices, be they sweet or not. This is what going to the people means. Some people braved the rain. I am also a human being. When I go into the summer heat, I also sweat. I also braved the heat and the dust. The country is like that. If the people can do it, the king can do it. Wherever the people are, the king will go there. That has been our tradition. Our ancestors did not have blacktop roads and cars and helicopters. But the kings have been to the people even back then. Those who claim the people were pressured to come to see me, they should go and ask those same people. The Nepali people's self-confidence and patriotism has gone up since the royal proclamation. I have warned the civil servants to do their best at providing services. This is not a time to be taking things lightly. We have promised good governance. There will be no compromises. This king will never hesitate to meet the people, wherever, whenever. The monarchy will never stay away from the people's troubles. It is not my job to tell the press people how to do their job. But people whose job it is to serve the people should stay disciplined. Terrorism should not be encouraged. The country is in a difficult situation. Our goal should be for a country that is stable, strong, peaceful and democratic. We need democracy, but it has to be built on strong foundations. Geeta teaches: do your deed, do not worry about the fruits. Today the country has a goal: end terrorism, and introduce a mature democracy. The roads to those goals could be more than one. Difficulties will be faced. But the resolve has to stay. The tussle between the king and the political parties is about they want something now what they can have tomorrow. The people want peace, good governance and control of corruption. The parties need to listen. They are not clear on these things. The bureaucracy was politicized. I am open. For my part, I am always open. I have never said I won't meet with them [leaders of the political parties] but there must be some grounds for dialogue. Once these issues - terrorism, good governance and corruption, politicization in bureaucracy and financial discipline - are addressed clearly to the public, the space for dialogue will be created. If they can get clear on these things, then I will have foundations to hold talks with them. Then I can tell the people that this is what their representatives are saying. King Prithvi was not able to make Prime Minister someone he liked but the people did not. That is our tradition.



Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost

NC removes constitutional monarchy from its statute NepalNews ..... a historic decision ..... Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the major opposition Nepali Congress (NC) party has decided to remove all provisions related to monarchy from the party’s statute .... however, said that the reference of constitutional monarchy is included in the preamble of the party’s constitution.....Shailaja Acharya opposed the decision writing a note of dissent........ The panel's recommendation to the party states that democracy cannot remain safe as long as the monarchy remains in place

Rawal knocks Supreme Court doors against RCCC notice Rawal in his petition said the ‘unconstitutional’ Royal Commission had summoned him for interrogation without clear legal grounds on a case in which he has already been given clean-chit by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)...... Rawal had pledged to appear before the anti-corruption body to record his statement but today he opted to knock the Supreme Court doors after consultation with his legal advisors....... Rawal has been accused of irregularity by fixing the daily fare of USD 3150 while leasing the CSWA aircraft instead of USD 2800 as mentioned in the lease agreement.

RCCC files case against former minister Parajuli .....charging Parajuli of amassing property worth over Rs 15.3 million through illegal means.

Two students hurt in anti-price hike protests in Bidur Two students sustained bullet injuries when police resorted to firing to disperse students ...... When contacted by Nepalnews, chief district officer of Nuwakot, Janardan Adhikari, confirmed the student protests in the district headquarters. Adhikari, however, denied reports of student’s injuries. “Police resorted to blank firing to control the irate mob. Five policemen sustained injuries when they clashed with the students,” he said.

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UML meet concludes, decides to go for stir Likewise, the meeting passed a proposal calling for provisions whereby children can acquire their citizenship certificate from the mother’s name and formed a Central Advisory Committee.