Kathmandu, July 22: Alleging that there may be "designs against democracy" in Nepal, former premier and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala today said the Royal Palace, not the political parties, is the source of political instability in the country. The announcement of Maoist-government ceasefire in January followed by sudden breaking of talks and the sudden appointment of Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa by the King were "three puzzles" he could not solve, Koirala told a function organised by Nepal students union, affiliated to NC to mark the 22nd death anniversary of B P Koirala, the first elected prime minister of Nepal.

"The Maoists announced cease-fire when we were about to launch joint agitation against the royal proclamation and now they suddenly ran away from dialogue when our pro-democracy movement is approaching climax," Koirala said. When five major parties unanimously proposed the name of CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal for Prime Minister's post, the King suddenly appointed Thapa as Prime Minister, he said, "I suspect there may be some design against democracy in all the three incidents."

He however made it clear that the ongoing agitation is against the regressive steps of King Gyanendra and not against the institution of monarchy itself.

Noting that the joint movement is getting intensified, he said, "I will not rest until it succeeds in restoring democracy, which is the future of 90 lakh Nepalese youths." He also criticised the Prime Minister on the ground that he talks about election in such an uncertain situation.

"How can there be a peaceful election under the shadow of two guns ? The Prime Minister's intention is to prolong his stay in power," he alleged.

Bureau Report