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Josy Joseph in Kathmandu
In the eerie silence of Kathmandu under curfew, political parties across the spectrum emerged with conflicting signals over the new monarch and his much-publicised probe into the royal massacre.
Opposition leader Madhav Nepal on Tuesday evening issued a statement distancing himself from the probe. Though his party sources said he has nominated Bharat Mohan Adhikary, the chief whip of the Communist Party of Nepal in the national assembly, as his replacement, his statement did not make any such commitment.
During the day, working committee of the ruling Nepali Congress met and welcomed the probe, expressing hope that it would bring out the truth. This, sources said, would ensure that the national assembly speaker Taranath Ranabhat does not quit the probe panel. Earlier in the day, he too had expressed his reluctance to participate in the probe.
The statement of the Nepali Congress is being seen as an unavoidable step, otherwise it could have led to a serious stand-off between the Palace and the GP Koirala government.
Individual supporters of Koirala too have come out with statements welcoming the probe.
Leaders of other political parties such as the Rashtriya Prajatantrik Party also met during the day. All of them preferred to remain silent over the probe, while condoling the death of the royals and appealing people to remain calm.
The new king, meanwhile, remained confined to the palace, consulting his aides and close associates. No senior political leader called on him through the day.
ALSO SEE: Kathmandu is peaceful but tense US does not see plot in royal massacre Curfew reimposed in parts of Nepal Speaker, Oppn leader say 'no' to probe panel Gyanendra makes the right noises Death of a Monarch: The Complete Coverage
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