Parliament directs Nepal govt to take action against King

Kathmandu, Feb 21 (UNI) Amid countrywide protest and condemnation against King Gyanendra for his controversial statement, Nepal's Parliament urged the government to immediately take action against the King and declare Nepal a republic state.

The King's message was ''unconstitutional and unauthorised'', a proposal of public importance passed by the House today said.

The proposal was passed unanimously, Kantipur quoted the Speaker of the House, Subhash Nemwang, as saying.

''The Parliament has directed the government to take action against the King and inform the House about the action taken,'' Mr Nemwang said.

Senior leaders of the Nepal's political parties strognly condemned the King for his statement issued on the occasion of Democracy Day on Monday. The King had defended his short-lived take over.

Nepali Congress MP Ram Chandra Paudyal had tabled the proposal, which was supported by the leaders of all the major political parties.

''Expressing serious objection to the message of the King, who has been stripped of all the state powers by the Interim Constitution and the May 18, 2006 House of Representatives Proclamation, this sitting (of parliament) rejects the unconstitutional, unauthorized and undemocratic message outright,'' the proposal said.

''As the King was unwilling as ever to remain within the constitutional boundaries, the parliament should immediately declare a republic,'' Kantipur quoted general secretary of Nepali Congress MP Ram Chandra Paudyal as saying.

The Interim Constitution should be amended by putting in a provision that could lead to a removal of the monarchy by a majority vote, the National Congress MP said during the discussion.

There is protest across the country against the controversial statement of King Gyanendra, who is suspended in the interim constitution.

UNI