Nepal, April 7 -- Ishwar Pokhrel, senior vice-chairman of the ruling CPN-UML, is also one of the eight members of the high-level political mechanism formed to help the KP Oli government's smooth functioning. In this interview with the Post's Purushottam Poudel, Pokhrel discussed the March 28 royalist demonstration, the government's handling of it and the possible return of former President Bidya Bhandari into UML politics.

The police have been heavily criticised, along with the Home Ministry, for 'excess' use of force during the March 28 pro-monarchy protest in Kathmandu. As a member of the high-level political mechanism formed to advise the government, how do you view this incident?

A meeting of 10 republican parties was held on March ...