KATHMANDU - NepalÂ’s parliament forged ahead with plans to trim the powers of the monarch in its first sitting for four years on Friday but the ailing premier stayed away. Legislators enthusiastically backed a plan for a new constitution as the prize for forcing King Gyanendra to hand over power to parliament following nearly three weeks of often bitter protests.
King Gyanendra climbed down Monday following 14 months of outright rule. He had seized power accusing the then government of corruption and failing to quell a decade-long Maoist insurgency.
In a 35-minute session, deputy speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav said the House would call for a ceasefire and talks with Maoist rebels, whose rebellion has left at least 12,500 people dead.
| And then they'll sign the country over the Maoists, having believed all the smooth words uttered about peace and democracy uttered by a band of killers. |
In a sign of growing anti-royal sentiment, a ceremonial royal staff that has been the usual prelude to the opening of parliamentary sessions for the last 15 years was not brought in. “Welcome to all the members. We express our gratitude to those who died in the democracy struggle,” said the deputy speaker at the opening session and called for a period of silence. |