1. POLITICAL HISTORY OF NEPAL - III
Prof Dr Devi Bdr Thapa

2. PANCHAYAT SYSTEM

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. THE END