NEPAL GETS AN INTERIM PRIME MINISTER

Nepal , since a long period was in a state of flux with political parties like United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), United Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist), Nepali Congress (NC), United  Madhesi Front of Nepal in their greed for power were on a collision course as to who should head the govt. After decades of monarchy which was not to the liking of the majority of citizens who desperately wanted a democratic Nepal, they under the leadership of mainly the banned United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and a few other political parties revolted against the ruthless rule of King Gyanendra, consequently thousands laid down their lives as a result of brutal suppression unleashed by the forces loyal to the monarchy. But Nepalese citizens’ unquenchable thirst for democracy was fulfilled as a result of their determined struggle against the monarchy since decades.

With the ouster of the ruthless monarch King Gyanendra, who unlike the then King of Bhutan, Jigme Sigme Wangchuk, who was a benevolent dictator who always cared for the welfare of the Bhutanese people was, a virtually malevolent person. The ruthless monarchs of Nepal in a way became the catalysts for the revolt. In otherwords they themselves sowed the seeds of their own destruction . Bhutan later turned out to be a democracy thanks to the initiative taken by the King himself which is quite rare in a world where the greed for power drives the dictators blind to the demands for establishing democracy.

With the ultimate ouster of the monarch, he was forced to vacate the throne after stubbornly sticking to it by exerting brute force on the citizens. Then came the general elections under independent observers.

United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) which played a dominant role in the ouster of the infamous monarch, emerged the largest party at the hustings. Nepali Congress the Grand Old Party (GOP) of Nepal led by late Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, had to concede defeat which was still nursing a soft corner for the monarchy. Pushpa Kumar Dahal Prachanda, the Chairman of the United CPN (Maoist) was elected Prime Minister of Nepal under whom a democratic govt was formed on 22 November 2005. The emergence of a democratic govt was widely acclaimed and celebrated across Nepal. The citizens of Nepal were visibly jubilant but certain other parties actually couldn’t digest a Communist Party forming a govt.

As a result of hatred and disillusionment, parties who disliked the United CPN (Maoist) prominent among them was naturally Nepali Congress followed by others with the ulterior motive of ousting the Maoist regime chalked out plans behind the scenes.

Prachanda was not allowed to run the affairs of the nation as Prime Minister since the squabbling parties pulling in different directions raked up different issues which he and his party couldn’t agree. With the then military head General Rookmangud Katawal being denied another term by the govt the President Mr.Ram Baran Yadav re-appointed the General Katawal and asked him to continue in the post.

In protest, Prachanda resigned from the post of Prime Minister and thus the Maoist rule came to an end for the time-being.

Then there was a tug of war among various parties to capture the power in Nepal.

Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala formed a govt once again that too was short-lived.

The failure to form a Constituent Assembly due to the differences persisting among the parties Nepal was virtually in the grip of anarchy.

True, Dr.Babu Ram Bhattarai of United  Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was chosen as successor to Prachanda to lead the country amidst persisting quarrels among political parties on the question of the formation of Constituent Assembly (CA) Dr.Bhattarai was caught between the rock and devil and governance of Nepal was a tedious task.

In the meanwhile Supreme Court issued ultimatum after ultimatum setting deadlines for drafting a constitution acceptable to all and the formation of Constituent Assembly.

The issue remained unresolved for a long time and after marathon talks by different party leaders they willy-nilly agreed to appoint the Chief Justice of Nepal, Khilraj Regme appointed as the interim Prime Minister, the other day ending months of uncertainty. Under Justice Regme, Nepal is poised to gear up for a General Election in June.  A few political parties and the bar association of Nepal Supreme Court have turned against the appointment of Justice Regme. By the time a new govt is formed the constitution of Constituent Assembly should have to materialize.

With that agreement arrived at the by the political parties, Nepal awaits a new dawn.