By DPA
Kathmandu : Nepal’s embattled King Gyanendra lost his biggest hope for survival Wednesday after the country’s oldest and largest political party formally dropped its support for the monarchy in favour of federal republic.
The move came a day after it united with its splinter group – Nepali Congress Democratic – in a move widely seen as an election strategy ahead on the polls in November.
“We cannot give any more room for the king as the country moves towards a new era,” Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is also the party’s president told reporters.
He said the party’s decision was in line with the wishes of the people.
Nepali Congress had been in favour of monarchy ever since its formation 58 years ago.
Nepali Congress was the latest party to drop its support for the king who is seen as being deeply unpopular since he took control of absolute power in February 2005.
He was toppled in a mass movement of eight political parties spearheaded by Nepali Congress and the Maoists in February 2006.
A constituent assembly formed after elections in late November will formally vote on the future of monarchy in the Himalayan nation.
Political analysts now say the monarch is unlikely to survive the vote with most major political parties backing his removal.