wl-2652-Will the King Reclaim His Throne in Nepal?

This article examines the narratives regarding the possibility of the return of the monarchy in Nepal and weighs them as merely sentimental and rhetorical, particularly in the light of the March 9 rally, where thousands of supporters gathered to welcome former King Gyanendra Shah, and the March 28 demonstration that killed two people and injured dozens. While media outlets framed the demonstration as a sign of growing public frustration with the post-monarchy political setup, this piece argues that the rally was not a genuine call for monarchy restoration but a strategic move of the pro-monarchy forces to exert political pressure and secure a position within the government. The article highlights the internal divisions among the pro-monarchy forces and the political maneuvering behind the scenes, showing that the monarchy debate is as much about power struggles within the pro-monarchy party, like the RPP, as it is about any true commitment to the monarchy. In doing so, this study also critiques the media’s oversimplified portrayal of the rally, suggesting that underlying motivations and alliances are more complex than public frustration alone.