Is abdication of throne a safe way out for King Gyanendra?
I pondered the question after reading Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s interview on Monday. And I see, in the current situation, King has two more options. First, he can choose to wait till the decision on republic and second, he can, of course, try for a coup.
Many will laugh at the second option. But, there is every chance that King will try for it. Announcement of republic nation and throwing out him will be a dishonor to him and before suffering that, he will try to do something. Just imagine, if you are losing everything you had, won’t you give a last try (even if there are 1000 of armed people around you)?
He may have already given the last try. Who knows?
Is Koirala trying to suggest the king that he can consider a third option, and take a respectful retirement? And, he can then continue as a businessman or politician or whatever he likes to be.
If I am put into King Gyanendra’s position, of course, and if I am finished with my pack of options, I will not hesitate choosing abdication than waiting for the decision on republic.
That way, he will not only earn some praise and a respectful retirement but it will also help to prove him what he did by taking up the executive power in Feb 1, 2005 is because of need of the time.
And, there are more he can claim of, like his action has been instrumental in ending the bloody Maoists conflict (‘Do you think, hadn’t I taken up the executive power, the Maoists would have shaken hands with political parties and come to a peaceful settlement?’).
The idea of coup is a bit absurd one. Let’s forget it.
