By Shirish B. Pradhan

Nepalese people abolished monarchy through the constituent assembly voting on May 28 in an unprecedented manner. Nowhere in the world monarchy is ousted in such a peaceful way with the help of ballot paper.

What is most surprising was the way King Gyanendra exited from the 124 year old palace by holding a press conference and with a mysterious smile in his face. Journalists were invited with their press cards at around 5 pm at the main gate of the palace, where hundreds of people had gathered. There was such a big crowd at the main gate that I was nearly stampede by the crowd of people most of whom were unrecognized faces.

From young reporters to senior editors and radio journalists to television anchors were present there to cover the historic event. There was about 200 meter long queue of journalists eagerly waiting for an entry to the Kashki Sadan, the main hall of the pink building where former King used to receive credentials from diplomats.

The security guards could not manage while media persons were struggling with non-journalists as they seek entry into the palace complex. Many people without carrying press accreditation cards also got chance to enter into the complex. The conference was delayed by about 45 minutes. There were dozens of camera crews, hundreds of reporters and photo journalists and foreign journalists as well as a large number of women journalists. Royal journalists, journalists without newspapers and non-journalists outnumbered the genuine journalists at that time.

Some were sitting on the carpet, others were sitting on sofa, and some of them were standing on the chair and table to have a glimpse of the dethroned King. Gyanendra entered the room wearing black coat, a Dhaka cap carrying a four page typed statement. He had to ask gossiping journalists for observing silence before starting to read the statement.

He was not moved, but looked rather confident, and also seemed relaxed while reading the statement loudly. It seemed that he was not leaving the palace for ever, but going on a vacation. He read out the statement which began with glorifying the 240 year old Shah dynasty. This time he did not mention about any political party, and also did not blame anybody else.

He denied the allegation that his family members were involved in the 2001 Royal Palace massacre which saw murder of King Birendra and his entire family members allegedly committed by then crown prince Dipendra, according to the controversial official report. He said that he and his family members were innocent and also accused that it was a ploy to defame his family members. The way he gave unnecessary importance to the palace massacre in his last statement raises many suspicions. Interestingly, Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai, who once trapped in controversy by accepting the cultural role to the King, said that his party will start a fresh probe, once it came to power to give him "clean chit" if he was really innocent.

The King also denied report that he has any foreign bank account. He, however, admitted of committing a mistake when he seized power on February 1, 2005 by dismissing Sher Bahadur Deuba government. He assured to serve the nation in whatever capacity possible and wherever he would be.

The former King also handed over the Crown and Scepter to the government on the same day and stressed for its safety. The whole exit drama of the former King looked like a celebration, as if he would return after some time, probably if the political parties keep quarrelling with each other and engage all the time in power sharing business by blaming one another.

The King, however, avoided any question from journalists after reading out the statement. One of the journalists had asked, "What is your future plan, to join politics or to continue your business? only to get disappointed.

Interestingly, some journalists even sat on the seat from where the former King read out the exit statement. The so called journalists gave pose on the sofa and took picture by acting as the monarch, making thousands of television viewers to laugh as they were unaware that the event was live telecast.

There was a sudden rain shortly after the press meet is over. However, the press conference was not well managed as journalists had to wait for half an hour to get the copies of the statement. Later in the evening Gyanendra and his wife Komal, both ordinary citizens, rode on black car with three other and moved towards Nagarjuna Bungalow, 7 km west of the palace for temporary settlement. The government has provided the government property for temporary purpose as per the former King's request.

The Gyanendra's step mother Ratna will remain in Mahendra Manjil and his grand mother Sarala will stay in Tribhuvan Sadan. The government has allowed these two buildings for the use of the King's family members as per their request.

Now the Narayanhiti palace has bee turned into a museum and it will be open for the general public. But till today no body could enter there. No journalists are allowed to enter the palace, which is still a subject of mystery.

The committee to collect the assets of the palace has received the crown, scepter, royal seat or Simhashana, royal sword, shield, jewelries and many more valuable things from the palace officials. The crown decorated with finest diamonds will be an attraction when the palace will be converted into a museum.

There are some 62 cows lying unattended after the former King left the place. The cows were supposed to provide pure milk to the royal family members. Now the government's convened authorities will be looking after the cows symbolizing Goddess of Wealth Laxmi.

A week after the palace is vacated; Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala installed the national flag and unveiled a sign board which reads "Narayanhiti Palace Museum." However, officials say that it will take at least 2 months to prepare the Museum to be open for the general public.

There are some 10-12 well furnished buildings in the Narayanhiti complex. There are numerous gardens, and also a helipad. People also guess that there is an underground tunnel in the palace complex, but nobody can be sure. For many people the Narayanhiti palace, which became the power centre for more than a century and where many conspiracies were hatched, is still a mystery, like the massacre of 2001.

Pradhan is Kathmandu based Press Trust of India (PTI) Correspondent