Two dead. 128 injured. 14 buildings torched. Nepal’s royalist protests have escalated into a full-blown political crisis—with the RPP now leading the charge to restore the monarchy.

Nepal's Political Earthquake: RPP Leads Royalist Resurgence Amid Republican Failures

As republican governance falters with corruption and geopolitical missteps, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party emerges as the standard-bearer for monarchy restoration - potentially reshaping Nepal's future alliances with India and China.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 | Kathmandu, Nepal

BREAKING POLITICAL SHIFT:

RPP Chairman Rajendra Prasad Lingden has openly challenged the government to arrest former King Gyanendra Shah, declaring: "Arrest and show the king, and we will show our strength." This bold move positions the RPP as the undisputed leader of Nepal's royalist movement amid growing public dissatisfaction with republican governance.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

RPP threatens nationwide protests if arrested leaders aren't freed within 24 hours
Death toll rises to 2 (journalist Suresh Rajak and protester Sabin Maharjan)
128 injured including 77 security personnel
41 royalist leaders and activists remanded for 5 days
Durga Prasai still at large despite arrest warrant

The Geopolitical Backdrop: Why Royalism is Resurging

Nepal's political landscape is shifting due to:

Chronic Republican Failures: Rampant corruption and poor governance since monarchy's abolition
Geopolitical Mismanagement: Erratic dealings with India, China, and US creating instability
Public Sentiment: Growing nostalgia for monarchy's stability amid economic struggles
Strategic Realignment: Citizens seeking balanced cooperation with both India and China

The Spark: Friday's Fateful Rally

At 11:30 AM on March 28, thousands gathered in Kathmandu's Tinkune area under the banner of the United People's Movement Committee, demanding:

Restoration of Nepal's monarchy (abolished in 2008)
Dissolution of the current government
End to alleged corruption in federal institutions

RPP's Strategic Gambit

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has:

Publicly embraced Durga Prasai's movement after initial hesitation
Positioned itself as the political face of royalist aspirations
Issued ultimatums to government regarding arrested leaders
Planned nationwide protests to capitalize on momentum

Why This Protest Marks a Turning Point

Three structural shifts are emerging:

RPP's Leadership: Has transitioned from fringe player to central political force
Geopolitical Rebalancing: Royalist movement favors stable ties with both India and China
Constitutional Crisis: Growing calls to revisit 2015 constitution's republican framework

What Comes Next? Three Potential Futures

RPP Ascendancy (Most Likely): Party gains kingmaker status in next elections, forcing constitutional amendments
Constitutional Monarchy Restoration: Gyanendra Shah returns as ceremonial monarch within 5-7 years
Authoritarian Crackdown: Government suppresses movement, deepening political crisis

RPP'S NEXT MOVES:

Nationwide protests beginning April 2 if leaders not released
Constitutional petition to protect royalist activists
Alliance building with dissatisfied communist factions

The International Dimension

Regional powers are closely watching as:

India: Prefers stable Nepal but wary of China's potential influence through royalists
China: Sees opportunity in monarchist factions' dissatisfaction with current pro-India government
US: Concerned about democratic backsliding but pragmatic about regional realities

Final Analysis: Nepal stands at its most consequential political crossroads since 2008. The RPP's bold leadership of the royalist movement, combined with republican governance failures and geopolitical tensions, has created perfect conditions for systemic change. While immediate monarchy restoration remains unlikely, the protest's aftermath suggests Nepal's political future will be shaped by this resurgent royalist movement - with profound implications for both domestic governance and international relations in the Himalayan region.

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