Trailokya Raj Aryal

KATHMANDU, OCT 19 -

In politics it is quite normal to hope for regaining one’s lost position and a real politician spends his or her entire career to this end. However, only those with a clear and timely strategy, for the most part, get a second chance. Those who have no concrete strategy or who believe in using outmoded tactics to regain their lost position are, more often than not, confined to history. In the case of ex-king Gyanendra Shah, his inability to tap into the support for monarchy in his favour is what is preventing the institution’s restoration. Instead, he seems quite adamant on antagonising liberal-minded Nepalis—a segment whose support is a must for the monarchy’s restoration.

The ex-king clearly lacks vision and as his recent journey to the western part of the country aptly demonstrated, he lacks good advisors. It is not that he does not have the right to go and worship various deities in Nepal, or abroad for that matter, but allowing a Hindu organisation to provide him with motorcycle escorts was quite unnecessary and uncalled for. If anything, it made the ex-king appear as being associated with an organisation that does not appeal to many liberal minded Nepali Hindus for various reasons. In a religiously and culturally diverse country like Nepal, only a politician who can relate to all Nepalis has chances to succeed. Using religion, in the short run, may provide the ex-king with 100 supporters but in the not-so-long run, it would lead to losing an extra 1000 supporters. As someone who believes that Nepal is better off with the institution of monarchy, it was quite appalling to see the ex-king surrounded by the committed and or paid members of a Hindu organisation, the Shiva Sena. The sooner the ex-king and his advisors learn that religion and politics do not mesh well in today’s world, the better it would be for the monarchy’s cause. The Shiva Sena may be a very good organisation committed to the Hindu cause, but a king should be seen as representing all citizens and not be seen associating with Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Buddhist organisations. He definitely shouldn’t allow religious organisations to control or overshadow his visits and workings.

Similarly, it would do good for the monarchy’s cause if the ex-king keeps his eyes and ears open and not rely on his advisors alone. If he had met and listened to those wanting to meet him and tell him something, it would have been a good PR exercise and helped in branding the institution as something representing all Nepalis. A case in point: an elderly man had come from Parbat to have an audience with the ex-king in Pokhara during his stay at the Fishtail Lodge. The old man waited outside the hotel’s gate bracing the sun and the rain for many days, pleading with the boatmen and other staff of the hotel, but was denied an audience. It is very unlikely that his existence was not reported to the ex-king.  On the other hand, some of his elite supporters (members of the Rashtriya Panchayat of the bygone days) were invited from Syangja for a meeting. As someone who happened to be at the Fishtail lodge when the ex-king was staying there, it was quite disheartening to see that old man waiting in vain for a meeting. The man probably went home dejected, and most likely, the ex-king lost one of his supporters. If the ex-king is happy reminiscing the old days and building castles in the air, then he did no wrong by denying the old man an audience, but, if he really wants the institution to make a comeback, a wish expressed in many of

his interviews, then, he only harmed his own cause—a no no for any politician who wants to present himself as representing all Nepalis.

One of the most important aspects for the future of the monarchy, sadly, has been ignored by the ex-king and his men. Of the many reasons that are blocking the monarchy’s restoration is that people identify the institution with the ex-crown prince Paras Shah. If Gyanendra Shah he is serious about the monarchy’s return, he should now be promoting his grandson, Hridayendra Shah as the face of the monarchy and convincing the people that Paras Shah is nowhere in the succession line. Deliberate leaks of Hridayendra Shah’s photos and profile in the pro-monarchy media would do a lot towards reminding the people that there is an alternative to the ex-crown prince.

The mess that country is in today has made some feel that Nepal would benefit with the restoration of monarchy. Many are not so sure what system would be appropriate and it is Gyanendra Shah’s responsibility to persuade them through deeds that the monarchy is suitable for Nepal. To use the business parlance: It is all about branding the institution to make it appealing to a significant chunk of the population. Perhaps, it is about time the ex-king made use of his marketing and branding skills to make the institution of monarchy appear a better option to those who are yet undecided or are disillusioned with the present system. The ex-king, we all know is a successful businessman, now is the time to prove that he is a good politician.

 

 trailokyaa@yahoo.com

Posted on: 2012-10-19 08:23

ए गुरु के भन्या , यी माओबादीले राजा लाइ बित्र्याऊछ्न भन्या ? गोरु ब्याउला र दुध पिऊला भन्ने आसामा बसेनन् अनि तिमि एल्साई गल्ति भन्छौ ?  जनताको ह्याकुला छाम्दै छन् के जनता अझै राजा आओस भन्छन कि भन्दैनन् भनि ? मत दान  गरेर राजा ल्याउने कि नल्याउने कुरा निर्क्यौल गरेको भए यिनले चुईक्क पनि गर्ने थिएनन.
मतदान गरेर हेरुन न त जनता के चाहन्छन ????????? यो कुरा उठे आजका सत्ताधारी नेताहरु सुरुवाल मुत्न थाल्छन |
 राजाको ब्यतिगत भ्रमण को नाजायज प्रोपोगान्डा फ़ैलाऊछन् |

Ex Shree 5 maharaj dheraj gyanendra bir bikram shah dev sarkar ahele Dukhi hunuhuncha which is normal 250 bars a ko itihas sano bhulle garda possible sakhap possibly because it may come back .

it will be fun watching , his role, comeback.
I was just reading a flamboyant life of cambodia king, his life, alligning with khmer rougue, o my shit, a mass killer, his comeback, his exile life in new jersey, blah blah.
Will this happen for gyane? may be not, coz cambodia has lots of us interest coz of vietnam, phillpines

lets see, time will tell and reveal a lot.

Right now, Nepal doesn't need vision. Nepal needs only rectification made by this so called republic leaders mess. It will be the great oppurtunity if Gyanendra will come to the power. This time I belive he will do something. Now, for such type of article provoking both republican and the pro- monarch, and it's indicate that some one playing behind the scene role or we can say the writer mind may be occupied by someone or confused .

Ya if he comes to power he may do few good things I saw his few interview with something bania and few people I got impression that he wanna become king with power not only ceremorial. Mero bicharma chai ceremorial banaera thorai shakti dear a rakhda thik kinaki wahale dherAi manchhe kko chhita dukhako cha. Let's not forget its not like he was king all his life he became king for 2-4 years maybe so I don't know how his fate gonna be tbk . Still remember andolan time manche le kutai khako tyre baleko etc etc

Very interesting article.


"Instead, he seems quite adamant on antagonizing liberal-minded Nepalis—a segment whose support is a must for the monarchy’s restoration."

That maybe true. However, I feel there aren't that many liberal minded Nepalese around, perhaps except some in the media, to tip the balance. It is really the professional and middle classes that ex-King Gyanendra needs to win over. The doctors, engineers, lawyers, government employees, teachers, journalists and the business community amongst others - Nepal's emerging elites - many of whom are surprisingly conservative in their thinking. The elites of yore, those who prospered on their own or with the blessings of the old establishment are still largely sympathetic towards the monarchy. The ex-King still appears to enjoy  comfortable support amongst police and army personnel, especially officers, and their families as well as those identifying strongly with the religious orthodoxy. As the writer implies, that support is not enough to bring the monarchy back but the ex-monarch seems unwilling or unable to level with those outside his comfort zone.

I might add that it is not just the monarch who needs to change his thinking - his supporters need to as well. Many straight-thinking people who  might otherwise sympathize with the monarchy are turned off by the social and political attitudes of those proposing a restoration of the monarchy. In spite of the abysmal performance of the mainstream political parties, the monarchy seems unable to capitalize on the discontent of the masses as the writer implies. Part of it seems to be the result of  the skepticism with which the public views the King's surrogates. The message is lost because of bad messengers. Maybe this writer will prove to be the exception to that. If the King and much of his supporters approach the issue with a little more humility, people might perhaps be willing to listen again.


Just my thoughts.