Durga Prasai, coordinator of the Campaign to Save the Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture and Citizens, said he would hold talks with Prime Minister Sushila Karki on December 8.
At a press conference on Saturday, Prasai said a meeting with the prime minister had been arranged after his talks with Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal on Friday.
The government is particularly concerned about Prasai's planned pre-election demonstrations, which could lead to security problems. That's why the prime minister and home minister are engaging him, an adviser to the prime minister said.
Previously, Prasai was taken into custody for provocative statements against the prime minister, home minister and others and released on the Supreme Court's order.
Stating that the demands he raised were not personal but belonged to the country, the people and the working class, Prasai warned that he would launch a stronger movement if these demands were not met. He said he welcomed the fact that his demands had reached the Prime Minister's table.
Among its demands is that individuals and companies blacklisted by financial institutions, cooperatives and microfinance companies – including small and large entrepreneurs as well as transport companies – must be immediately removed from the blacklist.
Many of its demands relate to banks, microfinance, cooperatives, issues related to credit and loans, landless squatters and the release of people arrested during the Generation Z uprising in September. Others include withdrawing “false” charges against various people, separating bankers from other companies, increasing salaries and benefits of army and police personnel and civil servants.
On the political front, Prasai has called for a referendum to decide whether Nepal should be a Hindu state, whether to retain or abolish the provinces and the restoration of the monarchy.
Prasai warned that elections would not be possible if their demands were not met. He said: “If these demands are not met, forget about holding elections in March – that is impossible even on the regular schedule of 2027. The movement will not stop if the demands are not met.”
Prasasi, a pro-royalist and pro-Hindu state activist, looked different at Saturday's press conference. He criticized former King Gyanendra Shah and his followers.
Prasai said that despite fighting for the monarchy and a Hindu state for three years, the former king remained inactive and even the royalists displayed double standards. For the same reason, the movement has not yet come to a conclusion, Prasai said, wondering why the former king was basking in the sun in Damak? Shah owns a tea plantation in Jhapa, where he often travels as a tourist from Kathmandu.
Prasai also expressed dissatisfaction that the former king did not even make a statement when he was arrested for holding anti-monarchy protests.
Prasai also mocked the royalists who live outside the country and behave like revolutionaries on social media but do not support his movement. He called on those who have obtained foreign residence permits and settled abroad to “return to the country” instead of encouraging the people of Nepal to step up the movement.
Prasai claimed that when he floated the idea of a referendum as the last and safest option to restore the monarchy, it was the royalists themselves who opposed him. He said: “If the king had been driven out by Parliament, he could have been brought back by Parliament itself.” [with a two-thirds majority]. Otherwise everyone will have to take to the streets to restore the monarchy. If no one comes out, should I fight alone?”
He explained that it was a referendum that could bring back the king. “If you like the king so much, if you want a Hindu state, then let's get out the ballot box. Cast 95 percent of the votes and then bring back the king!”
Prasai complained that he fought for the monarchy and Hinduism for three years and was even imprisoned, but other royalist parties and leaders did nothing. He said: “I fought to bring back the king, that's why I went to prison. Others do nothing, and now they come and oppose me?”
Prasai made it clear that he had not given up on the monarchy's agenda, but that the king and the royalists must support the movement and not remain passive. He was proud that it was his achievement to bring the demand for a monarchy and a Hindu state to the Prime Minister's table.