KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 11 (UPI) -- Despite the widespread anti-monarchy sentiment in the country, Nepalese Premier Girija Prasad Koirala has said he favors retaining a ceremonial monarch.
"What is the harm if the King wants to remain as revered as Lord Pashupatinath?" Koirala asked a delegation of the South Asia Free Media Association.
While insisting that he was not a republican, Koirala said King Gyanendra could be a ceremonial king, much like the British queen.
"I know there is an anti-monarchy mood among people... I have nothing to say if the people want to cross that. I am expected to lead, rather than being led by popular opinion."
But Koirala's comments are unlikely to be favorably received by Nepal's Maoist rebels, who have yet to respond to the seven-party alliance's invitation to formal talks on the roadmap to a constituent assembly.
The seven-party alliance has also come out against the notion of a ceremonial monarchy.
"People are above the Nepalese Congress; in fact above all parties who have to respect their views. Nepal doesn't need monarchy. We are for a democratic republic," said Madhav Nepal, a leader of the Communist Party of Nepal, a key member of the ruling seven-party alliance.
Nepal is still in a state of transition following political upheaval.
Koirala said that the current constitution would remain in place during negotiations with the Maoists, which he hopes will start soon. The premier is in constant contact with Maoist leaders, and said he expects them to come to the table now that his government had removed the label of terrorist from their group, and cancelled the Interpol red-corner notices against them.
"Demobilization is tricky. We have favored U.N. monitoring, but things will be clearer once we sit for dialogue. I know I am in bad health but I want to establish democracy with Maoists before I am out," Koirala said.
