KATHMANDU, March 22: Since the last Democracy Day, the king and monarchists have shown increasing excitement. Former King Gyanendra Shah's message, in which he stated, "The time has come," not only resonated with pro-monarchy parties and factions but also sparked a display of strength in the federal capital, Kathmandu, on March 9. The event saw notable public participation.
In response, republican parties, unsettled by the king's and monarchists' activities, have announced a series of street protests against them. The ruling CPN-UML, the main opposition CPN (Maoist Center), and the opposition CPN (Unified Socialist) have all declared street protests. Even leaders of parties that have not formally announced protests have raised warnings against the king and monarchist activities in various ways.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the fourth-largest party in Parliament, has remained "mysteriously" silent on the matter. This silence has led to doubts about whether the RSP is monarchist or republican. Party chairman Rabi Lamichhane has refused to directly address the question. Even when asked repeatedly, Lamichhane responds, "I don't speak out of impulse or excitement. If I do, it might make things difficult for a two-thirds government. I will speak when the time is right, and when I do, many will fall silent."
On Friday, journalists repeated the question to Lamichhane at the Patan High Court. Lamichhane, however, deflected with a brief response in English: "Get ready for the revolution."
Lamichhane reiterated the same sentiment as he had stated earlier on March 10 in Butwal. Journalists had asked him the same question at that time - whether he is monarchist or republican.
Since its formation on July 1, 2022, the RSP has faced criticism for being "ideologically neutral" and "undecided." Initially, the party's leaders described "public service" as its ideology. However, as criticism grew, the RSP declared its stance as "a fully democratic republican system" during a meeting on November 26, 2023, in Jaleswar. By not addressing the monarchist movement, the RSP, the fourth-largest party in Parliament, has only strengthened accusations of being "ideologically neutral."
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While the RSP has remained silent institutionally, its chairman Lamichhane has started to be recognized as a monarchist.
On March 13, Dr Mukul Dhakal, the founding (currently suspended) general secretary of RSP, accused Lamichhane of aligning with monarchist views even before the party's formation.
"Before forming the RSP, Rabi and I discussed whether to follow the 'monarchy' line or the 'republic' line. At that time, no one else was available for discussion, so everything happened between the two of us. Rabi even went to Jhapa to meet the king and had several conversations with him and his close associates. Rabi was inclined to take the monarchy route," Dhakal had said at that time.
Dhakal clarified further, saying, "At that time, I told Rabi, 'We cannot bring the king back to power; the former king must speak himself. The former king was not ready to speak, but even after that, Rabi insisted on finding a way to bring back the monarchy.’”
He further said, “My proposal was that the king should not have private property, and that we should move the king's property into a trust. The former king did not respond positively. After that, we decided to form the party along republican lines."
Artist Shailesh Shrestha, who previously lived in the United States, further supported Dhakal's accusation. He stated that Lamichhane aligned himself with the monarchist camp while in America.
"Our friend Rabi Lamichhane was part of the monarchist camp while in America. We held protests and rallies against the monarchy at the United Nations office and in Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Rabi remained close to the group of monarchist opponents in Baltimore," Shrestha said.
These are not Lamichhane's own words but statements from another person, meaning one cannot directly label Lamichhane as a monarchist. However, his failure to respond clearly to these accusations has made the allegations from Dhakal and Shrestha more compelling.
Why has RSP remained silent?
While some RSP leaders, such as Pukar Bam, Ganesh Karki, and Santosh Pariyar, have spoken individually about the monarchist movement, the RSP has remained silent institutionally. Why is the party silent?
Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane has provided a clear response: the RSP does not speak out of impulse or excitement but will speak when the time is right.
Acting Chairman Dol Prasad Aryal supports Lamichhane's stance. When asked about the party's institutional position, Aryal said, "The party does not need to take an institutional stance on this. If necessary, we will speak. Whatever the chairman says, that is the party's stance."
Aryal emphasized the RSP's support for the constitution, stating, "The people are not in favor of former King Gyanendra; they are in favor of the political parties. The people want the parties to improve. We are here to engage in politics about the situation, not the system, and we will do just that."
He then reiterated, "We don't feel the need to speak on this matter right now. If the need arises, we will speak. But these are 'seasonal' issues."
Political analyst Hari Roka agrees that the RSP doesn't need to speak. "Once you accept the republic and enter politics, there's no need for further doubts and questions," Roka said.
Roka also stated that no system other than the republic has a place in Nepal. "I don't think the RSP would destroy itself by aligning with the monarchy. Anyone who supports the monarchy will perish. It will break apart, just like how the Rastriya Prajatantra Party split. The chairman went one way, and the general secretary went the other. That's why, in this country, one must be a republican," he said.
The RSP is free to decide whether or not to speak out about the king and pro-monarchy activities. However, born from the current system and being the fourth-largest party in Parliament, the RSP's silence on actions against the system has created public pressure. How long the RSP can withstand this pressure is up to them. Still, some have started saying, "The RSP is a party that moves with the atmosphere, and it may later align with whatever public sentiment emerges."