KATHMANDU, March 12– Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden has asserted that his party is the only one that has consistently upheld the issue of monarchy since the establishment of the republic.
Lingden’s remarks came in response to businessman Durga Prasai’s accusation that the RPP was attempting to hijack the movement for the reinstatement of the monarchy, which Prasai claims to be leading. Dismissing the allegation, Lingden stated that he would welcome any party or group spearheading the cause, emphasizing that RPP’s sole objective was the restoration of the monarchy in Nepal.
Speaking on Frontline, a program hosted by Nepal Republic Media, Lingden expressed his support for the growing street movement advocating for the monarchy’s return. He reiterated that the RPP had never played a role in the abolition of either the monarchy or the Hindu state.
Highlighting the country’s precarious political situation, Lingden urged the government and senior leaders of major parties to seriously consider the movement’s demands. “This nation must not, under any circumstances, head toward confrontation. The ongoing movement for the restoration of the monarchy and Hindu state has reached a decisive phase. The government and concerned authorities should immediately engage in discussions regarding these demands,” he said.
Lingden further stated that if necessary, he was prepared to resign from parliament and take to the streets for the reinstatement of the monarchy and Hindu state. “My position, and that of the RPP, is that the Nepali Congress and UML should take the lead in this movement to restore the monarchy,” he added.
While acknowledging that the current constitution has several positive aspects, Lingden stressed that provisions for the monarchy and Hindu state should be incorporated within it.
On a separate note, he revealed that the planned unification with Kamal Thapa-led RPP Nepal had been postponed. He explained that with the momentum of the pro-monarchy movement intensifying, discussions on party unification would take place only after the movement reached its logical conclusion.