Fiery Clash in Parliament: Monarchy vs Republic Battle Intensifies!

Sparks flew at the House of Representatives on Tuesday as heavyweights from the royalist camp under the Rastriya Prajatantra Party took on leaders of political parties that were at the forefront of the movement for the ouster of the monarchy and played a crucial role in the establishment of a federal secular democratic republic.

Chanda Karki, a lawmaker from the RPP, said, referring to a lawmaker: A friend said during his speech that he saw a ghost. Through the Speaker, I ask him: was it the ghost of Lenin or the Maoists? In response to remarks from another lawmaker, she said: You probably did not hear slogans against political leaders and in favour of the king during their visits to the districts. My friend, this is just a trial (a trailer). Please do not get nervous if people from the districts pour in and join in our protests. Rather, I advise my friend to find a safe place for hiding. Every citizen has a right to raise their voices. Do understand this: An inept government is the root cause of the massive protest seen on March 9.

“With full responsibility and a bit of caution”, CPN (Maoist) Chair and lawmaker Pushpa Kamal Dahal said, “Across the world, there are many examples of the history of monarchy written with blood, but Nepal became an exception as we allowed the former king to stay, we provided him a place to stay, exiling him was not even in our mind. That is how Nepal’s republican history was written.  
Talking about efforts to undo the people’s hard-earned achievements, Dahal said the current situation required simultaneous resistance against the government’s wrongdoings and regressive forces.

Mahesh Bartula, the chief whip of the CPN-UML, said: Article (1) of our Constitution states that it is the duty of every citizen to abide by the Constitution and every act in its contravention is punishable. Article of the constitution also regards all acts in contravention of the constitution as punishable. In the last few days, in the name of the former king, under his directives and instigation, activities against the constitution are taking place. Unconstitutional acts like singing Panchayat-era national anthems and dishonouring the present anthem are going on with instigation from the former king, Gyanendra Shah, in his very presence. What’s more, we also saw in royalist rallies placards bearing the picture of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on display. This is an act against the nation, the government should take serious note of such acts and bring them under the purview of law. The monarchy cannot be an alternative to democracy, autocracy cannot be an alternative to democracy.