KATHMANDU: Nepal’s beleaguered King Gyanendra has received support from an unexpected quarter who predict he will survive the acid test of an election to be held by June.
Astrologers, whose advice is sought by the royal family, army generals and top businessmen before starting new ventures, are predicting that the 238-year-old institution of monarchy will survive the key constituent assembly election this year when voters will choose between the king and a republic.
Tilak Raj, a professional astrologer who last year predicted a multi-party government would come to power in Nepal to end the growing violence following King Gyanendra’s power grab, says stray violence will continue to plague Nepal and indeed, the rest of the world.
“The new year has arrived with a strong Saturn and Moon,” Raj told IANS. “Therefore, war and battles will continue to erupt in different regions. Though Nepal has seen the worst of violence, bombs and bullets will continue and lives will be lost.”
In spite of the Maoist guerrillas trying to rouse public opinion against King Gyanendra, who became immensely unpopular after his 15-month authoritarian government, the astrologer predicts people will not vote out the monarch.”In 2007, the king’s birth signs will be in ascendance as well as his planet Jupiter. Religious organisations at home and abroad will bring pressure to save monarchy.”
According to his horoscope, King Gyanendra is an Aquarius with the sign of Pisces also bearing special influence on his life and activities. Other soothsayers also see the crown shining in Nepal even after the June verdict.
Astrologer Damodar Lohani said that the position of the stars after June, by which time PM Girija Prasad Koirala has pledged to hold the election, was not inimical to monarchy.
“The nation was nowhere near any titanic change that could put an end to monarchy,” Lohani said. A third stargazer, Ashok Bajracharya, foresaw the usual tumult continuing through February, June and July.
