Nepal's two leading political parties have agreed to stand behind King Gyanendra's appointment of his controversial son Prince Paras as crown prince.
At a meeting late Saturday, the Nepal Communist Party-United Marxist and Leninist welcomed the October 26 appointment of the crown prince, a lawmaker said.
"The party politburo decided that the elevation of a prince to the status of crown prince is a natural process in a constitutional monarchy," Iswar Pokharel said.
The ruling Nepali Congress also stands behind the king's move, said party president Girija Prasad Koirala, a former prime minister.
Far-left political groups and left-leaning human rights bodies have protested against the appointment, alleging that Paras has involved in reckless behaviour, including a drunken driving incident last year that killed pop singer Pravin Gurung and a taxi driver.
King Gyanendra ascended to the throne days after king Birendra and nine other members of the royal family were slain on June 1 in a shooting spree carried out by the king's drunken son, crown prince Dipendra.
Normally, a new crown prince is appointed soon after the new king is crowned.

Bureau Report