A political storm has erupted in Nepal after a poster of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was spotted at a rally welcoming former King Gyanendra Shah in Kathmandu. The controversy has ignited a fierce debate over India’s alleged influence on Nepal’s monarchy and has given Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s supporters fresh ammunition against the former monarch.
The rally, which took place on Sunday, was a significant moment for Gyanendra, who has been making renewed appeals for public support to "secure" Nepal’s future. However, the presence of Adityanath’s image at the event quickly became a flashpoint, with many interpreting it as a sign of Indian involvement in Nepalese politics.
Yogi Adityanath’s Connection to Nepal’s Monarchy
Yogi Adityanath, known for his strong pro-Hindu stance, has historical ties with Nepal’s royal family through the Gorakhnath Mutt, which he heads. The Shah dynasty of Nepal has long revered Guru Gorakhnath, and past mutt heads have maintained spiritual and cultural links with Nepal’s monarchy. When Gyanendra was dethroned in 2008 following a deal brokered by India’s UPA government, Adityanath was among those who openly criticized the move.
Given this background, supporters of PM Oli have pointed to the Adityanath poster as “proof of an India hand” behind Gyanendra’s resurgence. Oli himself subtly addressed the issue during a public event, saying, “We don’t use photographs of foreign leaders in our rallies.”
Political Fallout in Nepal
The controversy has sharply divided Nepal’s political landscape. Pro-monarchy factions, including the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), have dismissed the accusations, claiming that the poster was “planted” by the government to discredit their movement. RPP President Rajendra Lingden emphasized that while Gyanendra has historical ties to the Gorakhnath mutt, there was no organized effort to feature Adityanath’s image.
Former minister and pro-monarchy leader Dipak Gyawali also hit back, questioning why communist parties in Nepal openly display portraits of Marx, Lenin, and Mao while making an issue out of Adityanath’s poster. “We are not so weak as needing to use a foreigner’s photo in our procession,” he asserted.
A Diplomatic Tightrope for India
The controversy has once again placed India in a delicate position regarding Nepal’s internal politics. While New Delhi has maintained official distance from Nepal’s monarchy since 2008, the close ties between Hindu nationalist leaders in India and Nepal’s former royals continue to fuel speculation about India's role in shaping Nepal’s political future.
