Ex-king visits Biratnagar to 'learn people's feelings'

BIRATNAGAR, Sept 11: Former king Gyanendra Shah has said that he is visiting different parts of the country to learn about the people"s sentiments. He clarified that he has no other objective in visiting various places.



´Everybody should believe in religion. I participated in a religious program here because I am a Hindu,´ the ex-king, who arrived in Biratanagr to take part in the Ganapati festival religious program, said, adding, ´I am here just to learn how people are feeling? What are their demands and sentiments? I have no other motive.´ [break]



Asked by journalists if he wanted to reinstate the monarchy, he remained tight-lipped, but said, ´There is no point commenting on anything now. Go ask your questions to those who like to comment.´



The ex-king"s supporters, who gathered in Biratnagar following his arrival, chanted slogans in his favor and in support of monarchy. They also asked the former monarch to lead the nation as the country was heading towards disaster due to the failure of political party leaders.



Gyanendra listened with seriousness to his supporters" demands but did not comment on what they had to say. He was surrounded by dozens of supporters and journalists inside the Ratna Hotel. He also participated in two other religious programs held in Janakpur and Birgunj.



The political parties have criticized the ex-king"s visits, saying that he wanted to reinstate the monarchy on the pretext of visiting religious functions.







Most of the former king"s supporters claimed that the overall situation in the country was deteriorating after the fall of the monarchy and people were feeling helpless. They asked him to reinstate monarchy to address people"s sentiments. In response, he asked supporters to share their feelings with journalists also.



Present at Biratnagar airport to welcome the ex-king were his supporters and former ministers Badri Prasad Mandal, Padma Sundar Lawati, Central Vice-chairman of RPP-N Kishwari Mahato and Ballav Dahal.



The ex-monarch inaugurated the Ganapati festival in Biratnagar and offered worship to Ganesh for about 30 minutes. He also went to the Ram Janaki temple for worship. He returned to Kathmandu after spending four hours in Biratnagar. Some 250 security personnel were deployed in Biratnagar for the visit.









(Photos: Chuman Basnet)

Related story

My feelings