Kathmandu: Lying low since being dethroned in June, Nepal's former king Gyanendra has sought a role for the monarchy in the country's polity again, saying it can help "consolidate democracy" and "strengthen national unity".

He has also asked the political parties to review whether they were able to contribute towards the nation, national unity and democracy.

Gyanendra had to surrender his crown in June this year, nearly a fortnight after the Maoist-dominated Constituent Assembly abolished the country's 240-year-old monarchy.

"It will not be unnatural if the people see some kind of role of the institution of monarchy in consolidating democracy and strengthening national unity," Gyanendra said in an interview to vernacular weekly Ghatnarabichar published today.

"I wish that the political parties should be effective in consolidating nationalism and democracy," he said.

It is the people who should have the ultimate authority to decide about the monarchy, he said without elaborating.

Justifying his February 1,2001 step to bring the country under his absolute rule, he said it was taken "to restore law and order and to end the chaotic situation". However, he admitted that the measure, which led to an unprecedented popular uprising, could not attain the desired goal.

The deposed monarch slammed political parties for allowing "foreign influence", saying "We should welcome assistance from our friendly countries towards our development works, but nobody should tolerate foreign intervention."

He, however did not name any country.
Source : PTI