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Anti-Hrithik stir in Nepal
assumes political undertones

The social unrest in Nepal, stemming out of anti-Hrithik Roshan protests, may have a political fallout in the Himalayan Kingdom, according to informed Indian officials in Kathmandu.

The dissident faction in the ruling Nepali Congress on Thursday evening filed a no-confidence notice with the parliamentary party against Prime Minister G P Koirala.

Officials in Kathmandu said Sherbahadur Deuba, the central figure among anti-Koirala groups in the ruling party, has filed the no-confidence notice, which carries the signature of 56 members of parliament. This figure is one short of the 57 needed for a majority.

Deuba has for long been backed by 48 MPs against Koirala, but the present law and order problem has given a boost to his anti-Koirala activities. In the past two days, he managed to garner eight more MPs.

Officials said that fall of the Koirala government is a distinct possibility, as Deuba seems close to garnering the requisite numbers (in the party) against the prime minister. "Once that happens, Koirala might split the party and seek the support of the opposition communists to stake claim to form the government," they said.

Nepal has witnessed severe political turmoil in the past one decade, during which several coalition experiments failed. It was only a few months back that Koirala took over as prime minister and provided political stability.

The anti-Hrithik protests, which have rocked the country since December 23, have severe political undertones to it, according to informed officials. The entire campaign, based on rumour, has a distinct anti-Koirala touch to it, they say.

According to observers, the present anarchy started in Chitwan district and Virratnagar township.

The protests were initiated by Parivartan Nepal, an organisation run by Mohan Niraula, a pro-monarchy theatre personality who was arrested by the police on Wednesday.

Niraula has in the past made public statements of the like that he is even ready to shoot Koirala to save Nepal. He is an ardent supporter of the royalty. He has been leading the demonstrations against the Bollywood heartthrob in Kathmandu too.

Two students and two young children were killed in the police firing on December 27.

On Thursday, Nepal remained paralysed due to a bandh.

The main victim of the unrest has been the rich Marwari community besides others of Indian descent.

Among the worst hit is Gandhian and leading Marwari businessman Sharklal Kedia. Kedia's house has been attacked and his family members are under constant threat, officials said.

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