Kathmandu, December 22
At Thursday’s meeting of the Cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi called for a renewed investigation into the June 1, 2001 royal massacre at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace. This came a day after former King Gyanendra Shah issued a press release criticising the performance of political parties, the role of foreign forces in the country and raising questions on achievements of Jana Andolan II that abolished the monarchy and turned Nepal into a secular federal republic.
The massacre that took place 15 years ago had claimed the life of then King Birendra and the whole of his family members.
Then government had formed a committee under former Speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat to investigate the massacre. The committee had pointed fingers at then Crown Prince Dipendra Shah, but sections of society are sceptical about the committee’s findings.
After discussing agendas coming from different ministries, Cabinet members discussed contemporary political issues at the meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Nidhi, who heads the Nepali Congress team in the Prachanda-led Cabinet, questioned the former King’s press release. He said there’s a need to reinvestigate the massacre.
A participating minister quoted Nidhi as saying: The probe report on the massacre has been gathering dust. There’s a need to study it more seriously.
However, other ministers from the Congress, Ramesh Lekhak and Nabindra Raj Joshi, said: Though Minister Nidhi has a point, the immediate focus should be on implementation of the Constitution.
Prime Minister Prachanda also pointed with Cabinet members that the former King’s press release, political parties’ anti-federal remarks and the movement against Constitution amendment are alarming, a source told Onlinekhabar.
Activities taking place of late are against achievements like republicanism, federalism, secularism and inclusive-proportionate representation, a minister quoted PM Prachanda as saying. “So, let’s focus on Constitution implementation and defeat the conspiracies.
According to a source, the Cabinet meeting also discussed the role of the main opposition CPN-UML.
The UML’s act of obstructing Constitution amendment is against the democratic process, PM Prachanda said, stressing the need to accept the results whether the amendment process sails through the House or not.
Minister for Transport Lekhak pointed that the UML is now opposing its own Constitution amendment proposal. He stressed the need to bring the UML to an agreement.
Minister for Energy Janardan Sharma ‘Prabhakar’ said Constitution implementation is the main responsibility of parties for now. He stressed the need to initiate the process for Constitution amendment.
He said the government should start preparations for election of local levels, not of local bodies.
After the meeting, government Spokesperson Surendra Karki said the government will move ahead by following the Constitution.
Thus spake our Cabinet ministers
- DPM Nidhi: The royal palace massacre probe report has been gathering dust. There’s a need to study it more seriously
- PM Prachanda: The former King’s press release, political parties’ anti-federal remarks and the movement against Constitution amendment are alarming. Let’s focus on Charter implementation
- Energy Minister Sharma: Constitution implementation is main responsibility of parties for now
- Transport Minister Lekhak: UML is opposing its own Constitution amendment proposal. There’s a need to bring it onboard
