National flag replaces royal flag in Nepal royal palace

Kathmandu, May 29 (UNI) With the abolition of monarchy by absolute majority in Nepal, the government has removed the royal symbol from the palace and replaced it with national flags.

The former king Gyanendra has been given 15 days time to leave the palace and if he does not leave by that time, he will be forced out, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said.

Jestha 15 (May 28), the declaration of abolition of monarchy will be celebrated as the republic day every year.

All the laws related to royal family has been annulled making all the royal family members and Gyanendra like ordinary citizen.

The proposal to abolish monarchy and establish federal democratic republic was approved with an absolute majority of 560 votes and only votes against it.

The 4 members of a royalist party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, were the only supporters of the king. The party could not win a single seat in the recent election but has got 4 seats under the proportionate representation system.

The government has declared three days holiday to celebrate the end of monarchy and start of the democratic era.

There is enthusiasm and happiness among the general public as the monarchy has been the symbol of suppression and exploitation.

''This is the biggest day in my life as we are free from the autocratic dynastic rule of monarchy,'' one Nagin Chaudhary said while chanting slogan in favour of new republic.

A mass meeting will be held in central Kathmandu this afternoon to celebrate the parliament's declaration.

There are reports of celebrating the day with great enthusiasm with rallies and mass meeting across the Himalayan nation.

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