Nepal’s political waters are heating up again, and guess who’s back in the chatter? Former King Gyanendra Shah. Just a day before Democracy Day, the ex-monarch decided to stir the pot with an eight-minute video message.
In the video, Gyanendra didn’t just reminisce about the monarchy or his time in power. He sounded a cautionary note about the upcoming House of Representatives election, scheduled for March 5, urging “all sides” to reach a consensus before casting ballots. According to him, elections alone won’t magically solve Nepal’s deep-rooted problems.
Also Read: Three Indians arrested in Nepal for 83-year-old man’s murder; ring looted, body dumped in sack inside well
“Elections are not enough”
The former king said that Nepal is in its “most painful situation in history.” He warned that while periodic elections are natural in a democracy, “the prevailing public sentiment at this time is that national problems should first be resolved before proceeding with the upcoming electoral process.”
And he didn’t stop there. He added that post-election unrest or conflict should be avoided, hence, consensus before the polls.
Of course, he didn’t spell out how this national consensus should be reached.
The ex-king also went full dramatic about Nepal’s identity. “Every patriotic Nepali feels that the country’s identity and existence are under threat,” he said. He reminded viewers of past movements, struggles, and reforms but then asked the rhetorical question: what have all these changes actually delivered?
Gyanendra also weighed in on how governance should work. He suggested that the current system fosters a culture of entitlement and division, where people demand rights without fulfilling duties. According to him, progress can only come from a mindset of collective responsibility: “let us work together” rather than “let us divide and share the spoils in turns.”
He added that democracy should awaken people to lead societal work themselves. But again, there was no clear blueprint offered, just lofty ideals.
Enter the pro-monarchist party
While the former king’s speech stirred debate, the election machinery is rolling forward. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), a right-wing, pro-monarchy party, has confirmed it will contest the polls, keeping alive the discussion about a possible return of the monarchy.
Nepal’s election, originally scheduled for 2027, was called early following the Gen-Z revolution of 2025, a nationwide youth-led uprising that shook the political establishment. The revolt, against corruption, lasted two days (September 8-9) and led to the fall of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Tragically, 76 people died during the security crackdown. The uprising, often called the “Gen-Z Uprising,” has changed the trajectory of Nepali politics, bringing forward the elections by two years.
Mixed messages and unclear plans
Critics have pointed out contradictions in Gyanendra’s speech. He claims to represent the “prevailing public sentiment,” but how does he know this? Has he done a survey? Or is it just his reading of the crowd at events he attends?
Moreover, he warns that elections alone won’t solve the problems but doesn’t propose concrete solutions. He urges “national consensus” and inclusivity, yet the election itself already includes parties from across the political spectrum, including pro-monarchists. So, who is left out, exactly?
Nepal’s history shows that elections rarely lead to widespread unrest of the kind he hints at. If any disagreement arises, a democratically elected government is expected to handle it.
Some analysts see his speech as subtle nudge to influence political discourse without taking responsibility for real solutions.
The ambiguous role of the ex-king
Gyanendra’s pattern of vague dissatisfaction isn’t new. For years, he has hinted at political concerns without spelling out practical steps. This time, he frames the message in the language of “national interest,” yet the subtext suggests a search for relevance and influence ahead of the polls.
In his own words, he says: “let us adopt and retain the good and positive aspects of any system, while discarding its bad and harmful elements.” But without specifying what’s harmful or what should be adopted, the advice remains abstract.
Critics have noted that his statements often oscillate between philosophical reflection and political signaling. The line between national concern and self-interest is blurry.
On 24 December 2007, it was announced that, once the Nepalese Parliament approved it, the monarchy would likely be suspended in 2008 as part of a peace agreement with Maoist rebels. This was connected to a bill to change the constitution and make Nepal a republic.
On 28 May 2008, the monarchy officially ended after the Constituent Assembly voted to amend the constitution, officially declaring Nepal a republic. In the days that followed, Gyanendra accepted this decision.