KATMANDU – Nepal has swept away more than two centuries of history by sending the monarchy packing.
King Gyanendra, whose seven-year reign began in tragedy, has been given 15 days to leave his palace. After that, according to the new government, it will be turned into a museum.
Telegraph Online reports that an overwhelming majority of an elected assembly, charged with drawing up a new constitution, backed the creation of a republic in the Himalayan nation, which endured 10 years of war against Maoist rebels, who are now the dominant partners in the new political firmament.
The new resolution states that Nepal will become “an independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular and an inclusive democratic republic nation”.
It adds: “All the privileges enjoyed by the king and royal family will automatically come to an end.”
King Gyanendra, who inherited the throne after 10 members of the royal family were massacred by Crown Prince Diprenda in 2001, was a victim of his own incompetence and historical forces beyond his control, said Telegraph Online.
The poor and the young flocked to the Maoist’s republican cause, while King Gyanendra’s high-handed response helped to spread republicanism to the political mainstream.
When street demonstrations forced the king to end direct rule in 2006, he had few friends left.
The Maoists won elections last month for the constitutional assembly.
