Nepalese PM calls for king to step down

Mar 12, 2007, 10:19 GMT

Kathmandu - Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has asked King Gyanendra to step down amid a growing political outcry over remarks he made in February, local media reported Monday.

'If the king steps down as per the wishes of the people it will lead the nation towards the new turn,' state-owned Nepal Television quoted Koirala, who is considered a vocal supporter of constitutional monarchy, saying.

Political parties intensified their criticisms of King Gyanendra on February 19, when he publically defended his power grab two years ago, describing the move to sack the prime minister and assume full executive powers 'as per the wishes of the people.'

King Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001 following the death of King Birendra and his entire family in a royal palace shootout.

An inquiry into the massacre later implicated King Birendra's son Crown Prince Dipendra, but many Nepalese refuse to believe Dipendra was involved and suspect a cover-up of the incident.

King Gyanendra was stripped of all power following a mass movement in April last year, and the government has since moved to curtail his influence by removing his portrait from bank notes and scrapping public holidays on his birthday.