Nepal: From Constitutional Monarchy to a Republican State (1990-2008)

Tri Ratna Manandhar

doi:10.32890/jis.10.2014.7951

Abstract

The peoples’ movement of 1990 was a great landmark in the history of modern Nepal for it ended the three-decades of the old dictatorial rule of the king and established a parliamentary system with the king as a nominal head of state. But unfortunately, the country could not form a good government because of inter and intra-party conflicts. To add fuel to the flame, the rise of the Maoist movement and the royal massacre put the country in a state of confusion and uncertainty. The new king tried to revive dictatorial rule once again by suppressing the political parties and the Maoists. But his attempts failed, and the 19-day movement in 2006 re-established peoples’ sovereignty in the country. The first meeting of the elected constituent assembly in 2008 formally ended monarchy and declared Nepal a republic. But the first constituent assembly ended its four–year term without drafting a constitution. The second constituent assembly has pledged to promulgate a democratic constitution by January 2015, but all indications are that that the country is unlikely to get a constitution in time.

Highlights

This paper attempts to make an objective assessment of the democratic experiments in Nepal since the movement of 1990 which after eighteen years led to the abolition of monarchy and foundation of a republican Nepal
It tries to analyze the circumstances behind the political instability in the country, the undeclared suspension of the constitution, and the mass movement of April 2006, which eventually abolished monarchy in Nepal
Directed against the party less panchayat system functioning in Nepal for the last thirty years under the direct leadership of the king, it aimed at the restoration of multi-party system, that was briefly experimented in the country for eighteen months between the years 1959-60

Summary

Introduction

This paper attempts to make an objective assessment of the democratic experiments in Nepal since the movement of 1990 which after eighteen years led to the abolition of monarchy and foundation of a republican Nepal. Parliament was free to amend the provision of the constitution, without prejudicing the spirit of the preamble (Art. 116.1), and the king (on the recommendation of the cabinet) was empowered to declare a state of emergency, but the same must be approved by the House of Representatives within three months (Art. 115). Fearing that the UML will get an absolute majority in the election, the parties in opposition i.e., NC, NDP, and Sadbhavana tabled a no confidence motion against the government To avoid his government’s defeat in the house, the prime minister quickly recommended the dissolution of the house, but his action was challenged in the Supreme Court, despite the fact that the king had already dissolved the house on the recommendation of the prime minister. It was under these circumstances, the third general election was announced to be held in May 1999.10

The Third General Election and After

King Assumes Executive Authority

Nepal Becomes a Republic

Conclusion