Monarchists’ grand welcome plan for ex-king fuels pre-election tensions

Key Points

• Pro-monarchy groups plan a large welcome event for ex-king Gyanendra Shah upon his return to Kathmandu despite a ban on gatherings near Tribhuvan International Airport.
• Kathmandu District Administration Office has prohibited gatherings of more than five people around the airport, citing security concerns.
• The Rastriya Prajatantra Party and prominent royalist figures have called supporters to join the event, which comes just 20 days before the snap parliamentary elections.
• Security agencies are preparing for potential large crowds and are monitoring the situation amid fears of disruptions to the election environment.