Communists declare support to Gyanendra

By Atul Aneja

KATHMANDU, JUNE 8. Anticipating an unpopular verdict on Monday from the two-member inquiry committee probing the royal massacre in Nepal, political formations here are busy considering options which are in tune with the public sentiment, and yet, if possible, palatable to the monarchy.

The mainstream political party, CPN (UML), was the first to send a positive signal to King Gyanendra today. In a formal resolution, the party central committee, declared full support to the King, with the expectation that he would uphold constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy. ``We have put on record our appreciation of the first royal address and the commitment given in that to uphold constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy,'' the party standing committee member, Mr. Jhala Nath Khanal, said. G>The resolution greeted the new King and condoled the death of late King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the royal family.Similar sentiments were expressed by the former Prime Minister, Mr. K. P. Bhattarai, of the Nepali Congress. Talking to newspersons, Mr. Bhattarai said the new King deserved support form all sections after his pledge to uphold constitutional monarchy and multi-party system.

With all the main political parties supporting King Gyanendra, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists), which is demanding an end to monarchy under a republican framework, stands isolated.

Internal meeting of most parties, including that of the Nepali Congress, began in the backdrop of the inquiry which began today. The Supreme Court Chief Justice, Mr. Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, who heads the panel, said the investigation would not be influenced by media reports.

He has apparently taken exception to Thursday's press conference in which an eye-witness, Capt. Raja Sahi, pinned the blame for the royal massacre on late King Dipendra, who was the Crown Prince at the time of the massacre. (According to official sources, the Army subsequently ordered a court of inquiry as the press meet, it is claimed, was held without its consent). Mr.

Upadhyaya also maintained that the probe would examine the witness and the royal staff and take the help of forensic experts, wherever required.

The committee, which began investigations at 8 a.m., visited the massacre spot in Narayanhiti palace. The members' schedule included a visit to the military hospital to interview doctors and nurses who attended to the victims. However, the committee is fundamentally handicapped as bodies of none of the victims underwent an autopsy.

Discussions within political parties, which gathered momentum today, focussed on the fall-out of the anticipated findings of the committee. It was assumed by parties across the political spectrum that the committee was, indeed, likely to blame King Dipendra for the killings.

Such a declaration is expected to stir peoples' emotions which could find expression in various ways. One view, prevailing particularly among Left intellectuals, is that rioting in the streets will be more volatile.

``The inquiry committee is expected to hold Dipendra responsible. That will result in a reaction which will be much more violent,'' says Mr. Padma Ratna Tuladhar, an intellectual who is also the mediator between the Government and the Maoists.

Captain Sahi's press conference may become one of the factors which could fuel street violence, he maintains. ``The press conference was sponsored by the palace. It would otherwise be the responsibility of the King to stop these activities as it would influence the (working of) the committee.''

The conduct of the press conference before the committee concluded its task has also been criticised by the Foreign Minister, Mr. Chakra Prasad Bastola. According to another view, the committee's findings may not trigger violence as the element of spontaneity witnessed on Monday has now abated. Besides, there does not appear to be a political force which can mobilise public sentiment as most of the mainstream political parties have backed the new monarch so far.

A third view is that the limited number of Maoist sympathisers may be able to provide rudimentary leadership to bring popular resentment into the open. Inspite of the existence of various scenarios, the Government mood is somewhat upbeat, as key leaders of the Nepali Congress are confident of tackling street violence. In fact, there is talk within the party of uniting its various factions which are controlled either by the Prime Minister, Mr. G. P. Koirala, or his principal rival, Mr. K. P. Bhattarai.

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