Democracy Day observed across Nepal

Kathmandu, Feb 19 (UNI) Democracy Day is being observed across Nepal today to vow an end to autocratic rule in any form.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad, in a democracy day message, appealed to the people of the Himalayan nation to make the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls slated for April 10 a success.

He said the CA was essential to institutionalise democracy to establish peace and to create a mechanism for an inclusive nation.

Meanwhile, the suspended King Gyanendra in a statement on the occasion, stressed the need to bolster efforts for goodwill among all Nepalese while keeping sovereignty, nationality and freedom intact.

The 58th Democracy Day is being observed across the country since the end of autocratic Rana regime on 7th of Falgun at the mediation of late Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, Nepali Congress leader BP Koirala and Rana Prime Minister Mohan Shumsher Rana.

The then King snatched the power and ruled like an autocratic dictator until 1990 when late King Birendra was forced to declare multi-party democracy due to massive demonstration against the autocratic rule.

However, King Gyanendra again dissolved Parliament and sacked the elected government, declaring himself the head of government and state.

He was forced out and Parliament suspended him, stripping him of all the state powers.

UNI XC SKB MIR KP1626