Nepal: New era?

In Nepal, a 240-year-old monarchy exits the stage this week -- if Maoists have their way. 

The Maoists have the most seats in a constituent assembly that is due to meet for the first time on Wednesday.  The assembly is committed to rubber-stamping a decision taken last year to declare the country a republic, leaving King Gyanendra without a formal role. 

Far from being revered, the monarchy has taken a battering in recent times.  The incumbent king is unpopular.  His ascent to power followed a grisly incident in 2001 that left ten members of the royal family dead, including the king and queen.  An inquiry blamed Crown Prince Dipendra, himself among the deceased.  A subsequent introduction of direct rule in 2005 by King Gyanendra was poorly received and failed to stymie a raging Maoist insurgency.  Standing back after restoring parliament in 2006, the king found his powers clipped by an administration that forged a peace with the Maoists he had failed to tame.  Those Maoists are now in the driving seat. 

They have called on the king to leave the palace on Wednesday.  Maoist leader Prachanda says he wants a dignified exit for the monarch, rather than 1793-style beheadings. He has also promised that people will take to the streets if the king refuses to go.