Six years ago, Dirgharaj Prasai hit headlines by leading a demonstration to Narayanhiti Palace shouting the famous slogan:  Raja au, desh bachau . Today, Prasai says: It will be disastrous if this regime stays for a moment longer.

Himal Khabarpatrika: How has the past five months of the royal regime been?

Dirgharaj Prasai: February First was a result of the incompetence of the political parties. Unfortunately, His Majesty couldn\'t find the right people. Even this regime is incompetent, corrupt and in the grip of smugglers and that is why there is no national unity. The euphoria of the royal takeover has now evaporated.

And you, a person who wanted the king to takeover!

Raja au, desh bachau was a demand intended to balance nationalism, monarchism and parliamentary democracy. The people are sovereign; the king has to be their protector. The ball is now in the king\'s court, he has to create the condition to hand over power to the people\'s representatives. This regime is submerged in economic mismanagement and steeped in self-glorification, it will be disastrous if this regime stays for a moment longer.

Why do you think the political parties aren\'t on board?

The king doesn\'t have people around him who want the parties on board. Why should anyone try to agree with people who are intent just on provocation? That is why the parties and the Maoists haven\'t come for negotiations. The people around the king want to push His Majesty towards authoritarianism. The RCCC shouldn\'t have character assassinated Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is the most committed democrat. That doesn\'t help the king.

Maybe you\'re being critical because you didn\'t get a position?

I am speaking the truth because I am a patriot, I have to speak against those who are bent on destroying the monarchy. There is no greater danger to the nation than having a monarchy that is not for the country.