It is noteworthy to mention that the RPP-N had recently submitted 2.35 million signatures to the CA demanding a referendum for the fate of the 240-year old monarchy and a Hindu state. [17][18] The assassination of Rana Bahadur Shah triggered a great massacre in Bhandarkhal (a royal garden east of Kathmandu Durbar) and at the bank of Bishnumati river[19][20] after which Kaji Bhimsen killed 55 senior officials to benefit from the chaos. This branch also enacts and implements the law. [citation needed] The royal family's departure from the palace was reported as a "major symbolic moment in the fall of the Shah dynasty, which had unified Nepal in the 1760s".[24][25]. Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then King Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy. The policies of the old Bharadari governments were derived from ancient Hindu texts as Dharmashastra and Manusmriti. After his birth, his father was told by a court astrologer not to look at his newborn son because it would bring him bad luck, so Gyanendra was sent to live with his grandmother. "[28] ", "All the king's businesses- Nepali Times", Nepal: Ex-King accorded touching greet en route, arrives Pokhara, The Himalayan Times : Ex-king's Myagdi visit cancelled over protest - Detail News : Nepal News Portal, "Final Programmes for The Coronation and The Silver Jubilee Celebration", Unofficial translation of the commission report on the palace incident, King of Nepal is stoned by crowd. The King then finally took over as the head of government in February 2005. The Government of Nepal (Nepali: नेपाल सरकार) is an executive body and the central government of Nepal.Prior to the abolition of the Nepali monarchy in 2008, it was officially known as His Majesty's Government.. The head of government, by contrast, is the person who actually leads the government in creating and enforcing policies. [9] When the exiled abdicated King Rana Bahadur Shah prepared his return in 1804, he arrested many government officials including then Chief Kaji Damodar Pande and sacked the reigning government. [17], It was announced on 24 December 2007 that, following the approval of the Nepalese Parliament, the monarchy would probably be suspended in 2008, as part of a peace deal with Maoist rebels. KATMANDU Nepal, Jan 31 —King Mahendra bf Nepal died today after suffering a heart attack yesterday the Government announced. [3] The government was stated to have controlled by regents, Mukhtiyars and alliance of political faction with strong fundamental support. He claimed that the King was examining the activities of the government and the parliament and was waiting for a suitable time to respond to them. [4] After opposition to the hereditary rule of the Rana Prime Ministers from India, a deal was reached in January 1951, and Gyanendra's grandfather King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal and resumed the throne. This was done by the Constituent Assembly, without a referendum. However, Dr. KC did note that the former monarch showed great concerns for the condition of the Nepalese in times of economic turmoil and political suppression. In May 1991, Nepal held its first parliamentary elections. There is something eerily Macbeth-like about King Gyanendra's fling with the throne. [30], On 8 July 2019, the former king's birthday was observed by thousands of Nepalese who marked the occasion by marching to his private residence at Nirmal Niwas Palace. After 23 protesters were killed, on 21 April 2006, Gyanendra announced that he would yield executive authority to a new prime minister chosen by the political parties to oversee the return of democracy. The move did not affect the properties he owned before his accession to the throne. [18][19], On 27 May 2008, the meeting decided to give Gyanendra fifteen days to vacate the palace and decided that the first meeting would be held the next day at 11 am; however, it was delayed due to the indecision among the leading parties on power-sharing and the nomination of 26 members of the Constituent Assembly. After several delays in elections, King Gyanendra suspended the constitution and assumed direct authority in February 2005, asserting that it would be a temporary measure to suppress the Maoist insurgency as the ushering in of democracy in Nepal had led to a fractious, corrupt and incompetent series of government who were successively incapable to deal with the Maoist insurgency. All the powers of the king have confiscated on 4 th Jestha 2063 BS. Later, Kirtiman Singh was secretly assassinated on 28 September 1801, by the supporters of Raj Rajeshwari Devi[7] and his brother Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat, was then given the post of Chief (Mul) Kaji. [36] During his early years on the throne, King Gyanendra sought to exercise full control over the government, citing the failure of all the political parties to hold an election after the parliament was dissolved. Furthermore, the former king is reported to have 54% stake in Himalayan Goodricke, 39% stake in Surya Nepal Tobacco, stakes in Annapurna Hotel which he inherited from aunt Princess Helen, large tea plantations in Itahari stake in Himal International Power Corporation, Jyoti spinning mill in Birgunj, Narayanghat brewery, a Toyota and Tata distributorship, Laxmi Rosin Turpentine Pvt Ltd, Bhotekoshi power company, Sipradi Trading Pvt Ltd, Gorkha Lawrie Pvt Ltd, Amaravati Pvt Ltd, an island in the Maldives and oil interest in Nigeria. In October 2002, he dismissed Deuba and consolidated his power for the first time. In all clouds, there is a silver lining. He also dismissed the need for a referendum on bringing the institution of monarchy back into power. Replying to a question raised regarding the King's silence even after the bill was passed declaring the state a republic, he said that there was nothing for the King to respond to. The former was an established political party and the latter emerged from a decade-long armed conflict in which some 13,000 people lost their lives. This isn't a democracy. Let us hope. He took over the administration of Nepal by assuming the position of Mukhtiyar (chief authority). The head of state is the President and the Prime Minister holds the position of the Head of executive. Gyanendra, in an interview with foreign reporters published on 9 April 2008,[26] expressed dissatisfaction over the decision made by the interim parliament to abolish the monarchy after the 10 April Constituent Assembly election. [citation needed]. The role of President is largely ceremonial as the functioning of the government is managed entirely by the Prime Minister who is appointed by the Parliament. Following his departure, the Narayanhiti Palace was turned into a museum, while Gyanendra's diamond- and ruby-encrusted Crown and royal sceptre, along with all the other crown jewels and royal assets, became government property. In November 1950, during a political plot, both his father and his grandfather King Tribhuvan, along with other royals, fled to India, leaving the young Prince Gyanendra as the only male member of the royal family in Nepal.He was brought back to the capital Kathmandu by the Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher, who had him declared King on 7 November 1950. Against all odds, he was crowned king in 1950, when he was only three. [15] In June, Koirala repeated his call for King Gyanendra to abdicate in favour of his grandson Prince Hridayendra. He is a keen conservationist and served as Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (later known as National Trust for Nature Conservation) from 1982 until his reaccession to the throne in 2001.[7]. The growing insurgency of the Nepalese Civil War during King Gyanendra's reign interfered with elections of representatives. [2][note 1] These Bharadars were drawn from high caste and politically influential families. King Gyanendra married his second cousin Komal Rajya Lakhsmi Devi on 1 May 1970 in Kathmandu. [3] As per historians and contemporary writer Francis Hamilton, the government of Nepal[note 2] comprised, As for Regmi states, the government of Nepal comprised, In 1794, King Rana Bahadur Shah came of age and his first act was to re-constitute the government such that his uncle, Prince Bahadur Shah of Nepal, had no official part to play. [20], On 28 May 2008, the monarchy was officially given no place in the amended constitution of 1990 and was replaced by a republic. Throughout those two decades the government remained largely in the hands of the NC with brief periods of CPN (UML) control. The long struggle paid off when King Birendra accepted constitutional reforms and established a multiparty parliament with himself as the Head of State and an executive Prime Minister under him. [13] International organizations expressed grave concerns about the safety of journalists, following the king's decision to restrict civil liberties, including freedom of the press, the constitutional protection against censorship and the right against preventive detention.[14]. Nepalese students affiliated with Nepal Student Union chant slogans against prime minister Khadga Prasad Oli during a protest in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. [12] Nepal Bhutan ... of an unprecedented situation involving a foreign head of state. He said that no people[clarification needed] would accept the "bill" unless decided by a referendum or elected members in the constituent assembly. [33], During a private party at Trisara restaurant in Durbarmarg, a picture taken of the former king dancing caused significant unrest and outcry, most notably from Maoist leader Prachanda and prime minister Oli. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. United Nations, UNDP Nepal, SAARC, ESCAP, FAO, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WTO. [34], Reports of citizens wanting to reinstate the ousted monarchy are commonplace in the Nepali media due to the widespread corruption in political establishments, unstable governments and the frivolous lifestyles of the unpopular president Bhandari and prime minister Oli's frequent visits regarding health condition to Singapore on taxpayers' money. He leads the Commission for the Monastic Affairs or the Dratshang Lhentshog. His reign ended about two years later. This incident is called People’s Movement-ll. [22], Mukhtiyars ruled over the executive and administrative functions of the state until its replacement by British conventional Prime Minister in 1843 conferred upon then ruling Mukhtiyar Mathabar Singh Thapa.[23]. This page lists the national rulers in the world. But Nepal barely has political ground prepared for the king to return to his deposed throne. ... response rebutting its finding that the German government could act against the king if it wished. This ended the idea of a "King in Parliament", and he was reduced to a figurehead, though for a time he continued to offer felicitations and to receive diplomats. First, the idea of monarchy itself is outdated and regressive. [4], In November 1950, during a political plot, both his father and his grandfather King Tribhuvan, along with other royals, fled to India, leaving the young Prince Gyanendra as the only male member of the royal family in Nepal. He said that his attempt was not a success and so the countrymen are suffering at present. Critics and citizen alike condemned the remarks of the politicians' criticizing the former king's private affair. Nepal has seen political turmoil for some time, the latest developments seeing the King hand over his powers to a parliamentarian government and the government signing a peace treaty with Maoist rebels. Speaking to a select group of Japanese correspondents at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on 4 February 2008, King Gyanendra said, "[The decision] doesn't reflect the majority view of the people. An agreement was reached between the parties under the supervision of the Indian ruling Congress that the monarchy would have a place in the new constitution. However, the scheduled visit of Gyanendra to Myagdi was cancelled following opposition from different political parties. No. In May 2002, he supported the popularly elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba when he dismissed the parliament elected in 1999. [40], Developments after the demise of Constituent Assembly, Princess Prerana Rajya Lakshmi Devi Singh, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, "Nepal: King Tribhuvan and fall of the Ranas", Nepal massacre inquiry begins, at long last, "State of Emergency Imperils Information Flow", King urged to let boy, 5, be Nepal’s saviour, "Nepal becomes a federal democratic republic", "Ex-King Gyanendra says he accepts CA decision; prepares to leave Narayanhiti", "Govt decides to give Nagarjuna palace to ex-King", "BBC NEWS, Former Nepal king to leave palace", "thaindian.com, Former King Gyanendra prepares to leave Narayanhiti Palace", "Nepal king, facing ouster, urges people to vote", "Nepali king slams decision to abolish the monarchy", "Former King Gyanendra of Nepal wants to be reinstated", "Economic crisis and corruption favour the return of former Hindu king", "Former King Gyanendra's birthday observed", "Does Nepali Congress intend to let ex-king Gyanendra Shah and Hinduists regroup, gain ground? In an interview with Nepal Aaja, Dr. KC remarked that the former king did not show any active interest to return to the throne or into politics. Once parliament dissolves, Israelis will head to the polls in March for a fourth time since early 2019, this time in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, a major economic recession, and while Netanyahu is on trial for a series of corruption charges. The position is hereditary, but the king retires at 65 years of age. Two years later, a newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with a president as head of state. [4][5] Rana Bahadur appointed Kirtiman Singh Basnyat as Chief (Mul) Kaji among the newly appointed four Kajis though Damodar Pande was the most influential Kaji. Portrait Name (Birth–Death) Term of office King (Reign) Took office Left office but the period of direct rule was accompanied by repression of dissent. [2] There was no single successful coalition government as court politics were driven from large factional rivalries, consecutive conspiracies and ostracization of opponent Bharadar families through assassination rather than legal expulsion. Riot police in Nepal clashed for hours with thousands of protesters demanding a return of the monarchy that was abolished more than a decade ago and the reinstatement of a Hindu state. The President of Nepal serves as the nation’s head of state. [24] These basic Hindu templates provide the evidence that Nepal was administered as a Hindu state. On 7 February 2008 the BBC reported King Gyanendra as saying to Japanese journalists: "The Nepali people themselves should speak out on where the nation is heading, on the direction it is taking and on why it is becoming chaotic [...]. The country’s head of state bears the title of Druk Gyalpo which translates to Dragon King. [21] Gyanendra accepted the decision in the following days. Gyanendra's second reign was marked by constitutional turmoil. He was 51 years old and had been king since May, 1956. Several party leaders rejected the offer and again demanded that the King call a council to determine the monarchy's future role in politics. [39] There was no protest on the first day. During the years 2002 to 2005 he chose and subsequently dismissed three prime ministers for failure to hold elections and bring the rebels to a round table negotiation; he finally dismissed Deuba for the second time and took over as absolute ruler on 1 February 2005, promising that the country would return to normality within 36 months. If either of the candidates fails to garner the majority of the delegate’s votes, a runoff pits the top two candidates until one of them gets th… He claimed that the parliament which declared a republic was reinstated by the King himself and had no authority to dethrone the same King. King could work as the head of state in Nepal before 2065 BS. [24] The King was considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and was the chief authority over legislative, judiciary and executive functions. [32], In July 2019, the former king summoned acclaimed political analyst Dr. Surendra KC where the two discussed the current political environment of the nation. Having been a businessman, the former king is said to have inherited huge fortunes from his family members and still runs many lucrative businesses through investments and is widely believed to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. They are heads of state and heads of government.. The task to elect Nepal’s president rests with an electoral college constituting the country’s parliament and members of the provincial legislatures. The constitution gives the King a lot of powers. [citation needed] Thus, King Gyanendra's confrontational approach with the established political parties met with widespread censure. BBC 16 February 2007, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gyanendra_of_Nepal&oldid=998454195, Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (France), Grand Crosses of the Order of the House of Orange, Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Recipients of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud, Members of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, Articles with dead external links from August 2011, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox royalty with unknown parameters, Articles containing Nepali (macrolanguage)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2013, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from January 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2014, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 January 2021, at 13:04. 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