Kathmandu (Nepal): In a desperate attempt to defuse the months-long political crisis in Nepal, King Gyanendra on Friday expressed his willingness to give into the call for democracy.
Addressing the nation on Friday evening, he announced that he was renouncing power and asked the seven-party alliance to name a new Prime Minister.
In a televised address the nation, the beleaguered monarch said that power was being returned to the people and he would like elections to be held as soon as possible. He, however, did not give an exact date for the elections.
Pending the completion of the election process, Gyanendra invited the seven-party alliance, which has been spearheading a movement against his rule, to recommend a name for the post of Prime Minister.
Until a new government is formed, the present council of ministers would continue, he said.
The King maintained that he will remain a consitutional monarch but that he would like elections to be held as soon as possible.
But the King made no reference to two crucial demands of the alliance: the constituent assembly and a date for elections.
The Communist Party of Nepal (UML), which was the first party to react, rejected the proposal outright.
Reactions of its other partners in the seven-party alliance are also expected to be on similar lines.
Interestingly, the King came up with this offer even though the alliance had earlier rejected a similar offer.
The parties have been demanding that a Consitutional Assembly be formed first in order to set a democratic process in motion.
The Nepalese administration has, meanwhile, extended curfew timings till 12 pm on Friday.
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In 1990, the late King Birendra had said that he would give constitutional monarchy, but then Gyanendra came to power and this proposal remained in the shelves.
Interestingly, several members of the seven-party alliance have credential which are anti-communists. Now, the question that arises from this is will these parties be able to solve the ongoing crisis in the Himalayan Kingdom?
The King also didn't express any remorse over the people killed in the riots in the recent days. Neither did he make any mention of this.
The King thanked the security personnel for 'maintaining peace' in the country during the current phase of political turmoil.
Impact of Nepal King's assurances unclear
Nepal's king vowed Friday to give political power back to the people of this Himalayan kingdom, 14 months after he seized control and set off a political crisis that drew tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters to the streets.
King Gyanendra said his dynasty had "unflinching commitment toward constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy" and he called on the seven main political parties to name a prime minister as soon as possible.
"Executive power shall, from this day, be returned to the people," he said in the announcement, broadcast on state television and radio.
It remained unclear, however, if his announcement would mollify his political opponents.
Political leaders were in meetings after his announcement and could not be reached for comment.
In India, the opposition welcome the king's offer. Senior party leader and former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh, "I had advanced information that his majesty was scheduled to make such an announcement today. I welcome this development and it should result in immediate end to all violence. It is my hope that the past agitation will now be abandoned and Nepal rapidly return to development and peace. That is the goodwill for the people of Nepal with which I travel to fraternal neighbour on Monday."
(With inpust from AP)
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