Nepal deteriorates
The sudden demise of the four-year old Constituent Assembly (CA) has created a political and constitutional vacuum in Nepal.
Over two-dozen parties represented in the assembly, failed to reach any conclusion on some of the major constitutional provisions, despite intensive discussion and debates.
The multi-party republican nation, which was a constitutional monarchy until May 2008, relies on CA as the backbone in forming the constitution.
The Supreme Court ruled out the government proposal to extend the CA term and suggested either to go for fresh polls or a referendum.
Following the parties’ failure to reach an understanding, the government has announced fresh polls for another constituent assembly.
A new order from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav turned the government, led by Unified Communist Party of Nepal–Maoists (UCPNM) vice chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai, into an interim government, which was not capable of promulgating any legal framework to pave way for fresh polls.
The government now has mandate only to run daily administration.
According to Nepalese law experts, the interim constitution does not mention anything about new CA elections.
With the demise of the CA, Nepal has no parliament to amend constitution. The election commission has said it is ready to hold elections once legal instruments are made ready.
The biggest party in the defunct parliament, UCPNM, blame Nepali Congress (NC) and Nepal Communist Party-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) for the crisis, and vice versa.
According to Nagarik newspaper, even the last minute effort by NC to agree with Maoists proposal for 13 states in Federal Nepal, was rejected by the Maoists.
This has created suspicion as to whether the Maoists are sincere in their mission to restore peace and stability in the country.
Just half an hour before the CA term expired, the government announced fresh polls to take place on November 22. Parties are divided over the announcement.
Sixteen parties in opposition are objecting fresh polls.
NC wants CA to be reinstated while CPN-UML says it agrees with polls if the current government changes. UCPNM and 18 other smaller parties are in alliance in favour of the polls.
Interestingly, each of these big parties is divided within. The ethnic leaders of the NC and CPN-UML say the party leaders are betraying them and a faction of UCPNM lead by Mohan Baidya opposes polls.
Baidya’s objection is not, in fact, linked with the CA failure and fresh polls, but personal tussle with Dr Bhattarai. Baidya is mulling over a party split, as is the initiative by ethnic leaders of CPN-UML.
The perceived threat for most parties is possibly the overwhelming votes which UCPNM might get in fresh polls. The party has gained huge support from ethnic population for its populist propaganda to empower ethnic groups.
On Wednesday after the central committee meeting, UCPNM chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ordered his party leaders and cadres to work with people to ensure 2/3 majority in the next election.
The political future of republic Nepal is becoming dark as the monarchists are raising their heads up.
Kamal Thapa, leader of the pro-monarchist party, is re-emphasising that Nepal cannot stand to be a republic. He has been saying this since the removal of monarchy in 2008.
The failure of the political parties has given little impetus for Kamal Thapa that Nepal’s future is safe with constitutional monarchy. However, there are feeble hopes of a monarch revival.
President Dr Yadav has called for political consensus before polls.
Top lawyers of the country had advised President Yadav to take a lead role. They said announcement of the polls is unconstitutional.
The civil society leaders are also encouraging the president for a more active role. But, the president has clarified he would act as per authority he has been entrusted by the interim constitution.
Unless, the parties come together for common good of Nepal, situation is set to further deteriorate. The situation might go beyond the control of political parties if timely steps are not taken.
Published in Adelaide based Our World Today