People's Democracy

 Nepal Coup Condemned

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on February 1, 2005.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the action of King Gyanendra of Nepal who has assumed all powers and dismissed the government. The King has, using the army, imposed an authoritarian regime. Leaders of political parties have been placed under house arrest and communication links with the world shut down.

The King of Nepal has taken this anti-democratic step at a time when his credibility as a constitutional monarch itself has not been established amongst the people.

The CPI(M) and the democratic forces in India had always supported the movement for the restoration of democracy in Nepal in the past. Now too, the CPI(M) and the other democratic forces will extend all support to the democratic forces in Nepal who will not take this attack on democracy lying down.

The government of India should make it clear that this coup against the constitution and democracy in Nepal is unacceptable and respond in a manner which will help to restore the democratic system in Nepal.