King's B'day low-key: officials, diplomats boycott party

Kathmandu, July 7(UNI) The birthday celebrations of Suspended King Gyanendra was a very low key affair with only a few guests turning out for the occassion.

Though more than 800 guests were invited,only a few were actually present for the celebrations, Kantipur said qouting an official.

Prime Minister, ministers, officials, Chief of the Army Staff and other senior army officials, diplomats boycotted the birthday party held at the royal palace last night, the local media reported.

The diplomats had already decided not to attend the celebrations whereas the senior army officers including Chief of Army Staff General Rukmangat Katwal did not attend the programme, Kantipur said quoting a former Prime Minister .

However,some former royalists, some retired army officers,royal relatives and some ministers, who had served under Gyanendra were present at the party.

The party which is being organised for three days beginning yesterday has received opposition from all quarters political party activists, civil society and general public to ban the lavish party organised by the palace on his 60th birthday.

Student unions affiliated to eight parties had urged the government to ban such activities of the palace and chanting slogans in Ratnapark "Gyanendra leave the country." This is the first time in the history of the Himalayan kingdom that the party of the palace has been boycotted by the diplomats, senior army and police officials and government officials.

As per the traditions the king's birth day used to be celebrated for some days across the country at the expenses of the state.

Last year, diplomats and senior army officer had attended the party at the palace. But after the kingship was suspended,the election of the constituent assembly will decide the fate of 238 year old monarchy in the Himalayan nation.

UNI