Why Adityanath's poster at Nepal king's rally is causing stir
What's the story
A poster of UP CM Yogi Adityanath has created a political storm in Nepal.
The poster was seen at a rally welcoming former King Gyanendra Shah to Kathmandu on Sunday.
This was Gyanendra's first direct appeal to the nation to support him to "secure" its future, and his most significant challenge yet to PM K P Sharma Oli's government, amid corruption allegations.
Political implications
Adityanath's poster raises questions about India's influence
Adityanath is a well-known supporter of Nepal's deposed monarchy. Gyanendra had even met Adityanath during his visit to Uttar Pradesh in January.
Putting two and two together, supporters of PM Oli saw the display of Adityanath's picture as the 'India hand' behind Gyanendra.
However, Gyanendra's followers denied these accusations, stating that the photo was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the pro-monarchist movement.
"The photograph..was displayed...at the instruction of Bishnu Rimal, chief advisor of Oli," Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) president said.
Allegations
Pro-monarchy parties allege conspiracy over Adityanath's poster
After the incident, PM Oli said, "We don't use photographs of foreign leaders in our rallies," without explicitly naming Adityanath.
Organizers of the rally have denied giving approval for using Adityanath's image, maintaining their only directive to participants was to display Gyanendra's portrait and national flag.
Dipak Gyawali, former minister and pro-monarchist, rejected allegations they needed a foreigner's photo for their procession.
Historical context
Gyanendra's ousting and Adityanath's stance
Gyanendra was removed from power in Nepal in 2008 after a deal mediated by the UPA government between pro-democracy parties and the monarch.
Adityanath, then Gorakhpur MP, had then criticized the move.
Adityanath belongs to the Gorakhnath mutt, which has deep ties to Nepal's former royal line.
According to RPP president, Gyanendra has a deep connection of faith and respect with the Gorakhnath mutt, since the Shah dynasty is believed to have been blessed by Guru Gorakhnath.
Reasons
King himself drove to Gorakhpur Mutt in 1992
Also, Birendra, the brother of the former king Gyanendra, saw Mahant Avaidyanath, who was Adityanath's mentor, as his guru.
The king himself drove from Kathmandu to the Gorakhpur Mutt in 1992.
This bond continued over the years, with the mutt participating in relief efforts following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal that killed 8,962 people. Per reports, Adityanath oversaw the reconstruction work of border areas.