Nepal’s king pledges to hold elections despite violent protests

NEPAL’S royal government vowed yesterday to hold municipal elections next month despite a boycott by major parties, street protests, a candidate’s assassination and rebel violence that killed 26 over the weekend.

“We will hold the elections no matter what,” said Information Minister Shrish Sumshere Rana.

King Gyanendra has said he would restore democracy within three years after he seized control of the government in February 2005, promising to crush a communist insurgency and halt political corruption.

Opposition parties say their participation in the coming elections would legitimise the king’s power grab. They have demanded he give up power and restore democracy.

“There is no alternative for the government than to postpone the so-called elections. We will not rest until the government stops election plans, and the king returns the powers he took back to the people,” said Khadga Prasad Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal.

Mr Oli was one of three political leaders placed under house arrest last week to deter demonstrations against the king’s rule. They were freed on Sunday.

Home Minister Kamal Thapa said yesterday that the security situation had improved but he did not elaborate.

On Saturday, rebels killed mayoral candidate Bijaya Lal Das, a leader of the small, king-supporting Nepal Sadbhawana Party.