Monarchy has never served people’s interests: Oli

LUMBINI: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has said that monarchy, in any form, has never served the interests of the people.

Addressing a public awareness rally organised by UML’s Rupandehi Province Committee in Butwal on Friday, Oli argued that the monarchy only exploited the people for taxes and indulged in luxury. “We had to struggle, make sacrifices and endure many hardships. What did 250 years of monarchy achieve? Let the kings answer,” Oli said. “We were prominent on the world stage, but what did we actually do?”

He termed the monarchy a feudal system that denied people the opportunity to study and learn skills.

“Japan rebuilt itself after the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Until 1960, Korea lagged behind us, but it developed steadily. Today, its per capita income is incomparable to ours. Why? Because our monarchy didn’t let us progress,” Oli said.

The Prime Minister also criticised internal and external regressive forces who, he claimed, fear UML’s vision for prosperity and development. “Those who say they will destroy UML or create a UML without KP Oli will never succeed,” he said. “I won’t live forever, but stronger leaders will emerge in this party. We will shape this country’s future with our own hands.”

Also speaking on the occasion, UML Vice-chairperson and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said that regressive elements were trying to exploit the weaknesses of the system. Referring to the recent Tinkune incident, Paudel said royalists never align with the people and instead gravitate toward anarchy. “Political parties always stand with the people, while royalists are driven by self-interest. Now these same forces are targeting UML and KP Oli,” Paudel said, calling on party members to defeat these reactionary agendas.

Similarly, UML Secretary and Lumbini Province in-charge Padma Aryal urged the public not to be swayed by opposition propaganda.