Nepal’s Former King Gyanendra Shah Signals Political Ambitions Amidst Election Concerns

Kathmandu, Nepal – On the eve of Valentine’s Day last month, former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah traveled by helicopter to Kathmandu from Jhapa, a district in southeastern Nepal where he has business interests. His arrival was met with a red carpet welcome and enthusiastic support from thousands, chanting slogans like “Raja aau, desh bachau!” (“Come back, king, save the country!”), a familiar refrain among Nepal’s royalists.

Four days later, on the eve of Nepal’s Democracy Day, the 78-year-old former monarch released a video message with English subtitles, emphasizing his “unwavering sense of duty and responsibility” towards a nation he described as facing “an unusual whirlwind of distress.” He stated, “The country is in one of the most painful situations in its history.” He similarly suggested that elections should proceed only after a national consensus is reached to avoid potential post-election conflict or unrest.

Why Shah is Hopeful

Since the abolition of the 239-year-old monarchy in 2008, Nepal, a nation of approximately 30 million people, has experienced significant political instability. The country has seen 14 governments and nine prime ministers, with power shifting between the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), the Nepali Congress and the former Maoist rebels’ party. Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev initially reigned from 1950 to 1951 and again from 2001 to 2008.

Though, a youth-led movement emerged in September of last year, challenging the dominance of Nepal’s established political parties and leading to the formation of an interim government overseeing the March 5 election. This challenge has reignited debate about a potential return to the monarchy and the level of public support for such a move.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which secured 14 of the 275 seats in the 2022 parliamentary election, openly advocates for the restoration of a constitutional monarchy. Rabindra Mishra, the party’s leader, stated that Shah’s call for consensus aligned with his own views. “I believe we require national consensus and a systemic overhaul of the system,” Mishra said while campaigning in Kathmandu. “I have been saying the election should be slightly postponed to forge consensus before announcing new dates. But we are not a formidable political force. The major parties are moving ahead with the election regardless.”

A year prior, Shah engaged in similar public displays of support in Kathmandu, sparking speculation about his intentions to test the waters for restoring a constitutional Hindu monarchy. That demonstration turned violent when Durga Prasai, a royalist businessman, breached police barricades with his car, resulting in two deaths, over 100 injuries, and more than 100 arrests.

‘Trying to Remain Relevant’

Critics view Shah’s public appearances as calculated political signaling. Baburam Bhattarai, a former prime minister and Maoist leader, expressed concern over Shah’s statements, stating, “These kinds of public statements during crucial times are not good.” He emphasized that the Constituent Assembly lawfully abolished the monarchy and established a democratic republic, and that Shah should contribute responsibly as a citizen. Bhattarai also argued that suggesting the postponement of elections sends the wrong message.

Political analyst CK Lal offered a more nuanced perspective. “He [Shah] has seen power, and that nostalgia does not fade easily,” Lal said. “Perhaps he hopes that if circumstances change, keeping the idea alive may prove useful. But at present, he appears to be trying to remain relevant. It is difficult for anyone who once held absolute authority to accept irrelevance.”

‘Unifying Symbol’ and Calls to Restore a Hindu State

The RPP’s election manifesto describes the monarchy as a “guardian institution” necessary for a country in crisis. Party leader Mishra used the metaphor of a royal chariot, stating, “To move forward, both wheels must be strong. We are not proposing the monarchy will run the government. Political parties will govern. The monarchy would serve as a unifying symbol above partisan politics.” Mishra believes that a ceremonial monarchy could provide stability amidst internal security challenges and regional geopolitical pressures.

However, Bhattarai rejects this idea, arguing that a Hindu monarchy conflicts with Nepal’s religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity, as well as its secular constitution. “Monarchy is obsolete,” he said. “It will not solve our crises. These are inherent challenges that can only be addressed through democratic processes. Nepal is an inclusive, secular state. We cannot reverse that.”

Lal argued that the monarchy retains limited symbolic resonance among some people. “It would be presumptuous to say it is not a force,” he said. “But it is not a considerable force. It appeals mainly to religiously minded elders and cultural conservatives. The younger generation has no lived experience of monarchy. To them, it appears antiquated.”

The RPP also advocates for reinstating Nepal as a Hindu state, a status it held until 2008. Mishra frames this proposal as cultural preservation rather than religious majoritarianism, stating, “Nepal is a centre of both Hinduism and Buddhism. We do not oppose any religion.” However, he insists, “To protect Nepal’s identity and maintain social cohesion, we need a Hindu king as the head of state.” More than 80 percent of Nepal’s population identifies as Hindu.

Bhattarai dismissed the idea as “romanticism,” arguing that religion is a personal faith and a nation-state should not have one. “Enforcing one religious identity on a diverse society is anti-democratic.”

Calls to restore the monarchy and a Hindu state are closely intertwined, according to Lal. “From a monarchist perspective, a Hindu state is a first step,” he said. “For Hindu nationalist forces, it may be an end goal. There appears to be a convergence of interests.”

Since 2008, Shah has maintained a public presence, appearing at restaurants, nightclubs, and festivals, casually posing for photographs. His private visits abroad, including to India, have drawn political scrutiny, though he holds no official diplomatic role.

India’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also advocates for a Hindu state. A pro-monarchy rally in 2025 featured a prominent poster of Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu nationalist politician and chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, India, who has publicly expressed sympathy for the idea of Nepal as a Hindu state.

However, Lal downplayed speculation about Indian backing for Shah, stating, “Foreign governments support winners, not losers. Their [India’s] interests lie with whoever holds power.”

Monarchists draw support from an 18th-century treatise called Dibya Upadesh (Divine Counsel), attributed to King Prithvi Narayan Shah, Nepal’s unifier. The treatise urges cautious diplomacy, economic self-reliance, and internal unity, describing Nepal as “a yam between two boulders” due to its position between India and China.

Mishra argues that these principles remain relevant today. “What Prithvi Narayan Shah formulated more than 240 years ago is still applicable today, in foreign policy, diplomacy, economic protection and national stability,” he said.

However, Lal dismissed the idea that this 18th-century doctrine could guide a 21st-century republic. “It is largely nostalgia. Invoking Prithvipath does not address contemporary geopolitical and economic realities. Nepal today operates in a completely different global context.” He concluded, “I don’t see much chance for the monarchy to be restored.”