The caretaker prime minister was speaking at a function organized in Kathmandu on Monday to mark commencement of operations by Global IME Bank, which was formed through the merger of Global Bank, IME Financial Institution and Lord Buddha Finance. [break]
PM Bhattarai was referring to the former king´s interview with News24 channel telecast on Sunday evening. In the interview, the former king, who was dethroned in May 2008, said the institution of monarchy could be reinstated in the country and in that eventuality he was ready to assume a ´guardian´s role´.
“The former king must have made those remarks to test the waters at a time when the mainstream political parties are at loggerheads (following the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly on May 27),” Bhattarai said.
“Of course we (political parties) have differences over certain issues and we are holding a constructive dialogue to put an end to those disputes,” he told the gathering, describing the ongoing political debate and arguments as a process of democracy. “But one thing we are clear on is not reviving a dead institution.”
The PM also issued a stern warning, saying any regressive move toward undoing Nepal´s status as a republican state would not be tolerated and blaming the former king himself for landing the institution of monarchy on its deathbed.
“If he had not assumed executive powers on February 1, 2005, the situation would have been completely different today and the monarch would still be the head of state,” Bhattarai said. “But the situation is completely different now…. The wheel of history will not roll back.”
Calling on the former king to stop daydreaming and making controversial remarks, the PM warned that the government services extended to him would be reviewed if he continued to make such comments.
Although the government currently does not support the former king financially, it is providing him security.
On a different note, Bhattarai refuted reports that the government was about to hand over the management of Tribhuwan International Airport to an Indian company.
“These are only rumors,” he said, adding, “no decisions would be taken that would put the country´s sovereignty and independence at risk.”
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