On December 15, 1960, when then-King Mahendra dismissed Nepal’s first democratically elected government and seized power, senior Nepali leader Bishwabandhu Thapa was attending the United Nations General Assembly. Another Nepali Congress leader, Achyutraj Regmi, was also part of the Nepali delegation.

Before King Mahendra carried out the “coup,” the then Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev raised a serious question at the UN General Assembly: “Does Nepal even have a parliament?”

Khrushchev’s remark caused a stir not only in the UN Assembly but also in Nepal. However, responding firmly, Bishwabandhu said at the Assembly, “As a member of parliament myself, I am in a position to inform this assembly that Nepal has a parliament elected on the basis of adult suffrage.

More than one political party is represented there. Discussions take place freely, and out of 109 members, four are communists. We follow rules and procedures equally. The discussions over the past two days in this General Assembly have truly surprised us.”

Khrushchev raising that question and the subsequent killing of democracy in Nepal were not mere coincidence. There is a popular saying in Nepal: “Make the tiger roar and lose the goat.” Was that what happened in Nepal?

Two days later, the New York Times reported that Bishwabandhu Thapa had been arrested after returning from the UN General Assembly. The news unsettled Narayan Prasad Arjel. He immediately called Rishikesh to inform him. Even then, Rishikesh was laughing on the phone, saying, “Let’s wait and see.”

Intellectuals have varying interpretations of the event. But Nepal’s First Secretary to the U.S., Narayan Prasad Arjel, says, “The plan was woven in Paris, France.”

Arjel was working in the U.S. while Bishwabandhu was there, and they were longtime acquaintances. When returning to Nepal, Arjel advised Bishwabandhu: “You are close to BP [Koirala]. Do not go straight to Kathmandu. Stay in India for a while, observe the situation, and then return to Nepal.”

Bishwabandhu only nodded at Arjel’s advice without responding. At that time, BP’s brother-in-law (Bijaya Lakshmi’s husband) was serving as Second Secretary at the Pakistani Embassy in India. Bishwabandhu had domestic ties with BP, so Arjel suggested staying at Bijaya Lakshmi’s house in Delhi.

After the UN General Assembly, Arjel and Nepali Ambassador to the U.S., Rishikesh Shah, accompanied the Nepali delegation to the airport. On the return, Arjel expressed concern to Rishikesh: “I told him it is not suitable to go to Nepal. Let’s see what he does.”

Rishikesh, laughing, replied, “Wait and see; he will become a minister.” Arjel was not pleased with Rishikesh’s response and protested.

Two days later, the New York Times reported again that Bishwabandhu Thapa had been arrested after returning from the UN Assembly. This news again unsettled Arjel, who immediately called Rishikesh. Once more, Rishikesh laughed on the phone, saying, “Just watch.”

A few days later, another report came: Bishwabandhu Thapa had become Nepal’s new Home Minister.

“At that moment, I felt as if I had fallen off a ledge. The setting had already been done. I gave advice out of concern,” Arjel recounted.

Contrary to Arjel’s advice, Bishwabandhu went straight to Kathmandu. Achyutraj was in New Delhi. “We thought Bishwabandhu would land in Delhi because he was a member of BP’s household, and Achyutraj would return to Kathmandu. But it happened the other way,” recalls 94-year-old Arjel.

Rishikesh was also appointed Finance Minister in the King’s cabinet. Later, King Mahendra made him Foreign Minister and then Ambassador to Rome. When Arjel accompanied him to the U.S. as Foreign Minister, he had the opportunity to learn details of this incident from Rishikesh.

On April 27-30, 1960, during King Mahendra’s first state visit to the U.S., Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai was visiting Nepal. While BP Koirala hosted a dinner for the Chinese Premier, King Mahendra was being received at Washington airport by U.S. President Eisenhower at 10:40 pm.

During this three-day state visit, Deputy Prime Minister Subarna Shamsher Rana of BP’s cabinet accompanied the king. In a meeting with Eisenhower, the king reportedly said, “The current Prime Minister does not allow me to work.”

Rishikesh was present as ambassador. About four months after the king’s return, PM BP went to the U.S. for the UN General Assembly. BP met President Eisenhower on September 23, 1960. During a 35-minute discussion at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Eisenhower bluntly asked, “Why, PM, don’t you let the king work?”

Rishikesh was also present. His face turned red, but BP calmly said, “The King and Queen’s state visit to the U.K. is set. I must return to Kathmandu by October 6, 1960 before their departure.” Eisenhower suggested BP stay in the U.S. briefly to understand development there.

A few days after BP returned, King Mahendra began his U.K. visit, followed by a scheduled trip to Paris, France. Rishikesh received a letter from the palace stating, “The king’s Paris visit is confirmed. You will go there.”

After receiving the letter, Rishikesh, pretending ignorance, met Arjel and asked, “Arjelji, I received a letter from the palace that I must urgently reach Paris. What should I do?”

At that time, Rishikesh was the top official at the embassy. There was no reason for the ambassador to consult the First Secretary, but he did not want to offend anyone. Arjel suggested informing the Prime Minister, which he did, sending a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval. A few days later, approval arrived from Nepal.

King Mahendra received excellent hospitality in the U.K. African and other countries under British rule were seeking independence, and Britain needed additional military support. Queen Elizabeth appealed to the king for help, which he gladly accepted. After negotiating additional Gurkha troops with Britain, the king reached Paris with confidence. It was there, along with Rishikesh and others, that the “coup” plan was made. “After returning from Paris, he kept smiling quietly,” says Arjel.

Perhaps that is why, when Bishwabandhu was arrested, Rishikesh said, “He will be a minister in two days.” And indeed, as Rishikesh predicted, it happened in Nepali politics.