POLITICAL HISTORY OF NEPAL - III Prof Dr Devi Bdr Thapa

PANCHAYAT SYSTEM

Introduction Of Panchayat System King Mahendra dissolved elected Nepali Congress government on 1st Poush 2017 B.S. and introduced partyless Panchayati Political System He banned on Political Parties He argued that Panchayat Democracy is the excellent democracy and best suited to Nepali land In 2019 a constitution was made This constitution was amended in 2024, 2032 and 2037 B.S.

King Birendra made a proclamation of refrenndum on 10 Jestha, which had two options: To retain Panchayat System with correction To establish multi party system Refrendum was held on 20th Baisakh 2037

Result of Refrendum Total vote casts Support of panchayat 48,13,486 (66.92%) Support of panchayat 24,33,452 Support of multi party system 20,07,965

After referendum third amendment was made in constitution in 2037 B.S. Adult franchise election system was introduced Prime Minister was from the majority of Rastriya Panchayat members Number of members of Rastriya Panchayat was 140, among which 112 were elected and 28 were nominated Prime Minister was responsible to Rastriya Panchayat

Jana Andolan – I (People’s movement of 2046 )

Causes of movement There was no right to political parties Panchayat system was autocratic and no one could oppose it People have no right for peaceful assembly and formation of association

EVENTS People’s movement started from 7th of falgun 2046 Nepali political leaders united : leftist front was formed and made joint plan to fight against panchayat Nepali congress called a conference on 6-7 Magh , 2046 in the house of Ganesh Man Singh In the conference leftist front and some Indian leaders were presented

On 7th of falgun 2046 dozens of thousand students protest at New Road Government procession, which was celebrating democracy day, encountered with student procession Student clash with police at Indra Chowk, Putalisadak, Asan and Kantipath in front of Singha Darbar Police made lathi charge and used tear gas

On 18th and 20th of Chaitra a huge mass of people demonstrated in Patan Prime Minister Marich Man Singh resigned from the post on 24th Chaitra Lokendra Bahadur Chand became Prime Minister Against Royal proclamation a huge mass of people organised a rally on Kings Way, the protestor tried to move towards Royal palace People clashed with army and police and many lost their lives in this incident

On 26th of Chaitra, King granted audience to some leaders of Political parties to have peace talk (Krishna Psd Bhattarai, Girija Psdd Koirala, Ganesh Man Singh and Radhakrishna Mainali) The King made announcement at 11:10 pm on 26th Chaitra 2046 and the ban on Political parties was lifted up and the provision of partyless was deleted from the constitution.

Jana Andolan – II (People’s Movement Of 2062/63)

Jana Andolan II Also known as 2006 Loktantra Andolan. Loktantra Andolan is name given in course of agitation against the rule of Kings of Nepal It is called Jana Andolan II because people’s movement was first launched in 1990 A.D. Nepali people once again fought in 2006 A.D. for democracy against undemocratic rule of King Gyanendra

Gyanendra become King after the Royal masssacre of Narayanhiti palace in 2058 B.S. During that period Maoist insurgency was in the height On February 2005 King Gyanendra dissolved existing government accusing political parties, political leader of being incapable to handle the maoists problem and maintain law and order in the country He led the government himself and enforced martial law Thus , polotical parties and Nepali people felt that democracy in Nepal was ended To fight for democracy all Political parties united and seven parties alliance (SPA) was formed

12 points agreement was signed between SPA and Maoists In this consensus maoist committed to multi party democracy and on the part of SPA maoist demand for election of Constitutional Assembly was accepted SPA called nationwide general strike and protests continued for 19 days Civil Society, Political parties, intellectuals, traders, industrialists, media person and general people took part in the movement

Hundred of thousand of people came to the road without any weapon and chanted slogans for democracy On April 21, King Gyanendra requested SPA to recommend a name for the post of prime minister Instead accepting this proposal, SPA put three demands – reinstitution of the old parliament (dissolved 18 Ashoj 2059), formation of all party government and elections to the constituent assembly

On April 24 2006, King Gyanendra reinstated the house representative of 2056. SPA accepted the restoration of house. All together 21 people were killed in the movement On May 18 2006, the parliament made a historic and dramatic proclamation from the house lifting out the power of the king and pass a bill

The declaration was as follows Putting Nepali armies in the hands of parliament Placing a tax on Royal family and its assets Ending the Raj Parishad, a royal advisory council Eliminating Royal references from army and government titles Declaration Nepal a secular state

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