 Buoyed by his successes , and fueled by increased hatred of both the French and Bảo Đại after their attempts to prevent him from dismantling the Bình Xuyên , Diệm became more confident as he went about consolidating his hold on power . On 15 May , Diệm abolished Bảo Đại 's Imperial Guard ; its 5 @,@ 000 men became the 11th and 42nd Infantry Regiments of the VNA . Diệm then stripped Bảo Đại of his extensive crown lands . On 15 June , Diệm had the Council of the Royal Family at Huế declare that Bảo Đại be stripped of his powers , and that he , Diệm , be made president . Bảo Đại 's relatives condemned him for abdicating as head of state , and for his links with France and the Bình Xuyên . Historians have speculated that the royals agreed to turn on Bảo Đại so Diệm would not seize their assets . 
