King Gyanendra Shah today left for India amid the current political crisis in the Himalayan nation over the new Constitution.Gyanendra is on a personal visit and he is to attend a religious function and is also likely to meet some political leaders.The ex-monarch has visited India more than half a dozen times over the past eight years.
Gyanendra had earlier this month criticised Nepalese politicians saying, “The nation should get rid of the power-ravenous leadership that is only focused on personal gain”.He claimed that the Nepalese culture, religion, language, history and civilisation were being assaulted.Although, his India visit is said to be personal, there is speculation that revival of the Hindu monarchy in some kind of ceremonial form could be on the agenda.This time the visit has been kept low-key as no official statement was issued on behalf of Gyanendra.Gyanendra is said to have close links with BJP leaders when he was the ruler.
A possible high-level meeting in New Delhi cannot be ruled out, said sources close to the former king without giving any details.Gyanendra was removed from the Narayanhiti Palace, from where the Shah dynasty resided, in May 2008 after Nepal’s newly first Constituent Assembly abolished monarchy and converted the country into a republic.