Nepal now a Federal Democratic Republic
Surya B. Prasai
May 29, 2008
After a beleaguered period marked by political arm twisting, Nepali politicians have now finally agreed through the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) to declare the country -- Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The government has given a two day holiday for celebrations as well. Nepalis worldwide have also joined the celebration now hoping it will lead to a new era of democratic prosperity, goodwill and economic progress for Nepal.
The officiating chairman of the CA, 73 year old Kul Bahadur Gurung who was the oldest member elected, read out a notice that of the 564 CA members who took part in the voting on the proposal, 560 voted in favour while four against it. The motion for implementing the republic declaration was earlier introduced by the Nepal Government´s Home Minister Krishna Sitaula who introduced it as per the Article 159 of the Interim Constitution, which was put for voting. Following the voting result, the CA members said ´aye´ to a proposal that states the King should vacate the Narayanhity royal palace within 15 days. It will also mean the King and royal family will lose all perks and privileges except rights to Nepali common citizenship. It is stated, Narayanhity Royal Palace might now be turned into a national museum or used for serving the national interest as deemed necessary by the government in future.
According to NC leader Bimlendra Nidhi, "The president will be the commander in chief of the national army. He will act as per the recommendation of the Prime Minister. He will be authorized to declare emergency in accordance with the cabinet decision." The CA meeting had started after 9 pm on Wednesday night at Birendra International Convention Center (BICC) after failing to meet on three earlier occasions during the day. Nidhi also informed that the president will be elected by the CA shortly through due process and details about this election will be worked out and the public and media informed in the process. Following this decision, the CA prorogued until June 5 when it meets next.
There is a saying that Kathmandu´s air is always filled with political mysticism and intrigue until the very last second. It took a lot of time and patience in declaring a republic. When Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala mentioned yesterday to newly elected CA members that there was a need to selflessly uphold democratic values, preserve national unity and work sincerely according to the people´s aspirations and wishes, it seemed all was going on well. But on May 28 morning as the day unfolded, the CA failed to meet time and again, until the session finally started at late night. To top it all off, Koirala was offered the post of new ´ceremonial president´ by the Maoists, in the quick turn of unprecedented events, instead of an active position . Things apparently looked topsy turvy then and CA members actually had to take recess three times. This all happened amidst the special presence of foreign diplomats and dignitaries invited to Kathmandu´s BICC. Some of the Nepali media considered it highly unruly to start Nepal´s CA procedures in this careless manner. In the evening, twin minor blasts occurred outside the CA meeting venue, injuring some people, but the PM and the other participants continued with the proceedings in a dignified manner.
In being given the floor, PM Koirala stated that the peace process was now reaching its logical conclusion. The PM stated, " Today is one day in our history and an era which brings about transformation in the life of a nation. This is the day my dreams are also being fulfilled." He told the CA members, "All of you now have a great responsibility on your shoulders, responsibility of writing a constitution and responsibility towards our martyrs. Your cooperation, understanding and unity is needed." Later on Peace Minister, Ram Chandra Poudel read out PM Koirala's written statement which mentioned, that the CA had come as fulfillment of a six-decade-long aspiration of the Nepali people to write their constitution themselves. Signifying the end of Monarchy, the statement added that the CA will prepare a plural democratic framework ensuring inclusion of all community, groups and classes in Nepal.
Although the 568 members of the CA did take their oath a day earlier, in which CPN-M has 220 seats, NC 110, CPN UML 103, and Madhes parties including MPRF a total of 52, there is still inner disgruntlement on power sharing. The PM who is staying at Baluwatar, the official residence, will need new quarters and the search is already on for a readymade house within Kathmandu Valley fit for the country´s first ´ceremonial president.´ Koirala earlier used to joke to diplomats that he always liked to be close to the center of Kathmandu to hear all the coffee shop rumors. At the moment, the PM appears not too willing to leave Baluwatar all of a sudden until his overall political role is clarified, though he is now assured of the ceremonial presidency. The Maoists on the other hand appear jubilant that they will have full access to Baluwatar in a few days.
The major agreement reached thus is on an earlier five point proposal declaring Nepal an independent, indivisible, secular, inclusive, federal democratic country. With the introduction of the republican clause and its ratification in the CA, it formally brings to end King Prithavi Narayan Shah´s 11 generations rule, covering a total of 239 years, with King Gyanendra as the last Shah king.
It is learnt the Nepal Army has surrounded the King´s palace with heavy security enforcement putting a special commando unit in place. The palace along with the BICC Hall where the CA meets, are the two heaviest guarded buildings in Kathmandu. General Kathmandu political analysis is the Maoists are gaining more control of political agenda setting and passing less rhetoric these days, learning the pragmatic intricacies of power sharing and coalition building to run a government. However, the political ball still seems to be moving to and fro between Prachanda´s Naya Bazaar Maoist camp and GP Koirala´s Baluwatar NC camp in the run up to the oncoming full deliberations of the CA in the first week of June.
The officiating chairman of the CA, 73 year old Kul Bahadur Gurung who was the oldest member elected, read out a notice that of the 564 CA members who took part in the voting on the proposal, 560 voted in favour while four against it. The motion for implementing the republic declaration was earlier introduced by the Nepal Government´s Home Minister Krishna Sitaula who introduced it as per the Article 159 of the Interim Constitution, which was put for voting. Following the voting result, the CA members said ´aye´ to a proposal that states the King should vacate the Narayanhity royal palace within 15 days. It will also mean the King and royal family will lose all perks and privileges except rights to Nepali common citizenship. It is stated, Narayanhity Royal Palace might now be turned into a national museum or used for serving the national interest as deemed necessary by the government in future.
According to NC leader Bimlendra Nidhi, "The president will be the commander in chief of the national army. He will act as per the recommendation of the Prime Minister. He will be authorized to declare emergency in accordance with the cabinet decision." The CA meeting had started after 9 pm on Wednesday night at Birendra International Convention Center (BICC) after failing to meet on three earlier occasions during the day. Nidhi also informed that the president will be elected by the CA shortly through due process and details about this election will be worked out and the public and media informed in the process. Following this decision, the CA prorogued until June 5 when it meets next.
There is a saying that Kathmandu´s air is always filled with political mysticism and intrigue until the very last second. It took a lot of time and patience in declaring a republic. When Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala mentioned yesterday to newly elected CA members that there was a need to selflessly uphold democratic values, preserve national unity and work sincerely according to the people´s aspirations and wishes, it seemed all was going on well. But on May 28 morning as the day unfolded, the CA failed to meet time and again, until the session finally started at late night. To top it all off, Koirala was offered the post of new ´ceremonial president´ by the Maoists, in the quick turn of unprecedented events, instead of an active position . Things apparently looked topsy turvy then and CA members actually had to take recess three times. This all happened amidst the special presence of foreign diplomats and dignitaries invited to Kathmandu´s BICC. Some of the Nepali media considered it highly unruly to start Nepal´s CA procedures in this careless manner. In the evening, twin minor blasts occurred outside the CA meeting venue, injuring some people, but the PM and the other participants continued with the proceedings in a dignified manner.
In being given the floor, PM Koirala stated that the peace process was now reaching its logical conclusion. The PM stated, " Today is one day in our history and an era which brings about transformation in the life of a nation. This is the day my dreams are also being fulfilled." He told the CA members, "All of you now have a great responsibility on your shoulders, responsibility of writing a constitution and responsibility towards our martyrs. Your cooperation, understanding and unity is needed." Later on Peace Minister, Ram Chandra Poudel read out PM Koirala's written statement which mentioned, that the CA had come as fulfillment of a six-decade-long aspiration of the Nepali people to write their constitution themselves. Signifying the end of Monarchy, the statement added that the CA will prepare a plural democratic framework ensuring inclusion of all community, groups and classes in Nepal.
Although the 568 members of the CA did take their oath a day earlier, in which CPN-M has 220 seats, NC 110, CPN UML 103, and Madhes parties including MPRF a total of 52, there is still inner disgruntlement on power sharing. The PM who is staying at Baluwatar, the official residence, will need new quarters and the search is already on for a readymade house within Kathmandu Valley fit for the country´s first ´ceremonial president.´ Koirala earlier used to joke to diplomats that he always liked to be close to the center of Kathmandu to hear all the coffee shop rumors. At the moment, the PM appears not too willing to leave Baluwatar all of a sudden until his overall political role is clarified, though he is now assured of the ceremonial presidency. The Maoists on the other hand appear jubilant that they will have full access to Baluwatar in a few days.
The major agreement reached thus is on an earlier five point proposal declaring Nepal an independent, indivisible, secular, inclusive, federal democratic country. With the introduction of the republican clause and its ratification in the CA, it formally brings to end King Prithavi Narayan Shah´s 11 generations rule, covering a total of 239 years, with King Gyanendra as the last Shah king.
It is learnt the Nepal Army has surrounded the King´s palace with heavy security enforcement putting a special commando unit in place. The palace along with the BICC Hall where the CA meets, are the two heaviest guarded buildings in Kathmandu. General Kathmandu political analysis is the Maoists are gaining more control of political agenda setting and passing less rhetoric these days, learning the pragmatic intricacies of power sharing and coalition building to run a government. However, the political ball still seems to be moving to and fro between Prachanda´s Naya Bazaar Maoist camp and GP Koirala´s Baluwatar NC camp in the run up to the oncoming full deliberations of the CA in the first week of June.
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