Gyanendra wants his picture removed from notes

Kathmandu, Jan 25: Nepal's humbled King Gyanendra is likely to have his picture removed from the Himalayan nation's currency notes, a cabinet minister said today, another blow to the unpopular monarch.

Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said the central Nepal Rastra Bank had proposed that the picture of the king be replaced by that of Lord Buddha.

''This is a proposal but no decision has been taken yet,'' Mahat told Reuters.

He added it was likely the king's picture would be removed but it remained undecided whose image would replace it.

Buddha was born a prince in Lumbini in southwest Nepal more than 2,600 years ago. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.

King Gyanendra has lost most of his powers including his control over the army after being forced to end his absolute rule following weeks of street protests last year.

Reuters