Why didn’t RPP officially participate in pro-monarchy movement ?

The pro-monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party didn’t officially participate in the violent protest launched the ex-King’s loyalists in Tinkune-Naya Baneshwor area on Friday. The party’s president Rajendra Lingden and senior leaders like Pashupati Shumsher Rana and Kamal Thapa were not seen at the movement, which remained peaceful in the beginning, though it turned violent after a couple of hours.

Although the movement was launched under the commandership former Panchayat leader Nawaraj Subedi, it was hijacked by medical professional Durga Prasai, who played provocative role to turn the movement violent. Prasai riding on a bullet proof vehicle broke the security barricade and even targeted riot police personnel while heading towards the Parliament building. Prasai played a role like that of a film actor while he called the protesters to move forward.

It is worth recalling here that Pashupati Rana and Kamal Thapa both were ministers during the direct rule of the king and under the democratic and republican system. They knew the difference between a royal minister and a democratic minister.

On the other hand, Rajendra Lingden and Kamal Thapa had won election with the support of leftists in their respective constituencies. They were also unhappy as the ex-King didn’t trust them fully and brought 87 old Panchayat era leader to lead the pro-monarchy agitation.

RPP general secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana and Vice president Ravindra Mishra were the only senior leaders of the pro-monarchy party to take part in the agitation. However, now they landed in police net and facing legal action for their alleged involvement in the arsenal, vandalism and looting of public and private properties.

RPP leaders such as Rana, Thapa and Gyanendra Shahi are playing double role, in the one hand they are enjoying all the facilities from the government while in the other hand they are supporting monarchy by denouncing present republic system.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu District Court (KDC) has allowed the police to keep 41 people including RPP leaders Rabindra Mishra and Dhawal Shamsher in custody for five days to carry out investigation. The Kathmanu District Police Office on Sunday presented Mishra and Rana before the court. The police had earlier arrested 110 people for their alleged involvement in vandalism and arsenal in Baneshwor area during the violent demonstrations on Friday. The District Police Range Kathmandu is filing charges under State Offence and Organized Crime against the 41 individuals.