King's grip on culture broken, PM attends Bhoto Jatra

Kathmandu, July 8 (UNI) Nepal King Gyanendra's grip became weaker as Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala witnessed the Bhoto Jatra ceremony organised at the end of the chariot procession of the rain God, Rato Machhindranath this evening.

Prime Minister Koirala, who enjoys the powers of the head of the state, witnessed the ceremony amidst a huge public gathering which used to be attended by the king earlier.

A squad of Nepal Army presented guard of honour to the Prime Minister when he arrived at Jawalakhel to witness Bhoto Jatra.

Thousands of people including the Speaker of the House, ministers and senior officials were present on the occassion, which concluded after several weeks of chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath.

The government declared a public holiday on the occasion.

The King lost all his powers including the authority to preside over social and cultural traditions of the Himalayan nation.

Around 800 people were invited on the occasion of the King's birthday but less than 125 people, mostly royal relatives and former ministers who served during the dictatorial rule of the King, attended the lavish royal dinner.

Government ministers, senior army, police and government officials, diplomats, political parties and civil society leaders boycotted the dinner for the first time in the history of Nepal's royal family.

UNI