Deposed king Shah frets over worsening political situation

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Lamenting the worsening political situation of the country, former king Gyanendra Shah today said he had not imagined that the country would come to this pass when he abdicated the throne and left the Narayanhiti palace.

“When I left the palace, I had not imagined that the country would face such deterioration,” the deposed king told reporters at a brief press conference held at Nirmal Niwas on the occasion of his 65th birthday. Surrounded by security officers and mediapersons, Shah said, “But let’s pray for peace and prosperity.”

Shah said, “I feel people are facing more and more hardships.”

Asked about the possibility of peace and constitution, Shah said, “We must not lose hope. Whether we get peace and constitution is another matter.”

On the occasion, the ousted king expressed concern about sovereignty. “May sovereignty and integrity never be compromised and may the Nepalese people always live together in peace and harmony,” wished Shah in his message to the people.

“May the basis of our national unity be the accord in the diversity of our languages, religions and cultures.” “In the past five years, the aspirations of all self-respecting Nepalese people, including our ancestors and myself, have been brushed aside. The issue must be addressed at the earliest,”he said.

Thousands of people, including royalists and leaders and cadres of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, were queuing up with garlands to wish Shah.

Senior journalists Yubaraj Ghimire and Puspa Raj Pradhan and Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala were among the well-wishers.

(Published in The Himalayan Times on 8 July 2011)