KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah has stressed reaching an all-side consensus before holding the House of Representatives election slated for March 5, stating that the upcoming election alone cannot resolve all of Nepal’s problems.

In a video message issued late Wednesday afternoon on the eve of Democracy Day, the former monarch said Nepal is currently in the most painful situation in its history and insisted that elections by themselves would not provide a solution under the present circumstances.

“Although periodic elections to select representatives are a natural process in a democratic system, the prevailing public sentiment at this time is that national problems should first be resolved before proceeding with the upcoming electoral process, former King Shah said in the video message. “Keeping in mind that there should be no conflict, unrest, or disputes after the elections, it would have been the right path to move forward through national consensus and an inclusive understanding before holding elections.”

Analysts said by stressing the need for a national consensus before elections, the former monarch has indirectly urged the current interim government to postpone the election scheduled for March 5.

In the eight-minute video message, former King Shah also said that at present, the entire nation is caught in an unnatural vortex of restlessness.

“Every patriotic Nepali feels that the country’s identity and existence are under threat. In the past, movements and struggles were carried out under various names, and changes were made on the strength of those struggles. However, the time has now come to introspect on what those various changes have actually delivered to Nepal and the Nepali people,” the former monarch said in the video message.

In the video, he also urged all sides to promote a political culture of harmony and unity in the country.

“Our enemies are poverty and instability. Yet we have encouraged an undesirable culture in which one Nepali regards another as an adversary. As a result, the country has reached the most painful and grave situation in its history. Therefore, in today’s difficult circumstances, let us put a full stop to politics based on hatred and conflict, and instead promote a political culture of harmony and unity,” said the former king.

The former king also expressed his gratitude to the people who welcomed him at Tribhuvan International Airport during his return to Kathmandu from Jhapa recently.

“After a few months’ stay in Jhapa, we express our sincere gratitude to the indigenous residents of the Valley and the general public who joined in welcoming us upon our return to the capital. In this extraordinary situation the nation is going through, the love and goodwill shown toward us has not only touched our heart but have also instilled in us an unwavering sense of responsibility,” he said.

Former King Shah also said that in the current “sad situation” where there is a growing tendency to demand rights without considering duties, the country cannot gain new momentum through a mindset of “let us divide and share the spoils in turns,” but only through a sense of duty that says, “let us work together.”

“In a democracy, the people themselves should be able to become aware and actively engage in social and national service. However, we have been bound in a restrictive system where one must please some and be directed by others.”

The former king also emphasized on a foundation for all kinds of ideas and traditions. “Social democracy becomes sustainable and strong through a coordinating spirit in which everyone respects everyone else. Let us not stumble by relying on others,” he said in the video message.

He also paid tribute to King Tribhuvan, who supported the establishment of democracy in the country, as well as to the known and unknown martyrs.