Changes in Governance Structure in Nepal

The Unification of Nepal

The country, which we call Nepal today, was divided into many smaller states before 1743 AD. The unification of Nepal officially began after King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha launched an aggressive annexation campaign seeking to broaden his own kingdom's boarders. His annexation campaign continued long after his death which extended his kingdom (which was now called Nepal) from Sutlej to the Teesta river. The Kingdom was ruled by the Shah Dynasty which was an absolute monarchial family rule. The people living in the country were merely tax givers enjoying no representation and part in decision taking. Nepal lost a big part of its territory in the Sugauli Treaty of 1814 after facing a major loss at the hands of the British Army.

Rana Regime

Kaji Junga Bahadur Kunwar, another interesting person in Nepal's history, executed Kot Massacre on 14th September, 1846 and Bhandarkhal Massacre to seize the executive power from the King. He became the Prime Minister of Nepal starting a family rule of his own to transfer the seat of the Prime Minister to his sons and brothers. Famously known as Rana Regime, this tyrannous rule lasted for 104 years. The King was essentially a ceremonial head having absolutely no powers (The King couldn't even move out of the Palace without Prime Minister's approval). Although the Rana regime had no representation of people in the government, just like the King's rule, many important social reforms happened during this time such as promulgation of the first constitution and some women rights.

Nepal after Fall of Rana Regime

Followed by the Indian independence of 1947, recently established political parties like Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal started to revolt against the dictatorial Rana rule. Armed revolution by people's army made it mandatory for Ranas to compromise. The Tripartite Delhi Agreement of 1951 between Ranas, Nepali Congress and King Tribhuvan sowed the first seed of democracy on Nepal's soil. The period between 1951 and 1959 was full of instability resulting in change of 6 Prime Ministers within 8 years. Amid all these uncertainty, Nepal entered its first General Elections in 1959. This was the first time Nepalese people got the chance of choosing the one who was going to govern them. Nepali Congress got a sliding victory winning 79 out of 109 seats making Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala the first elected Prime Minister of Nepal. Unfortunately, this change was proved to be ephemeral when King Mahendra suspended the constitution, dissolved the elected parliament, dismissed the cabinet, imposed direct rule and imprisoned B.P. Koirala and his government colleagues on 15th December 1960.

Mahendra, after his coup, started a new system called Panchayat system. Although this system was called party-less "guided" democracy, the real power remained in the hands of the monarch. Anyone opposing the system was deemed against the nation. Mahendra consolidated power by institutionalizing and invoking the three pillars of national identity: Hindu religion, Nepali language and Monarchy. His agenda of Hill, Hindu, High caste Nepali identity can be clearly seen in the fact that he made wearing a Dhaka topi mandatory for official photographs for passports and documents. As a matter of fact, Nepal was still being ruled by a monarch and his sycophants.

The voices against monarchy started to grow louder and louder during the reign of King Birendra, who inherited his crown from Mahendra. The leaders in Panchayat System worked primarily for their own interests instead of public development. To settle the growing dissent,  Birendra declared a public referendum with two choices: Reformed Panchayat System and Multiparty Democracy. Panchayat won the referendum with 54% of the votes, however, the supporters of the multiparty system blamed the government of rigging. 

Mass Movement – 1

Nepali Congress and United Left Front came together and started to protest for multiparty democracy. Dozens of people were killed in the protest. Eventually King Birendra was forced to draft a new constitution with identifying the people as the source of political legitimacy and assurance of basic rights. The ban on political parties was lifted. People above 18 years were given right to vote. People, especially those of rural areas, believed that their voices will be represented better in parliamentary democracy. After more than 50 years of first General Elections, Nepal witnessed its second democratic election. Nepali Congress won the elections and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai became the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Nepal After Mass Movement – 1

The abrupt changes of policies from the new government brought economic crisis and chaos. The radical left started to protest against the sky-rocketing prices. The Congress government also failed to address the issue of land reforms. A small faction of people started to take over the aristocratic landlords on their own. However, the government successfully oppressed this initial uprising of what would be a decade long civil war.

The instability in the government and systems continued. The social and political suppression of people continued. In March 1997, People's War was declared by Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) under the leadership of Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Pusha Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" in the favor of a People's Republic against constitutional democracy. The people's army kept fighting the Nepal Army in various parts of Nepal even fully occupying some districts.

Narayanhiti Massacre and Mass Movement – 2

King Birendra and Queen Aiswarya were killed in a massacre in Narayanhiti Durbar on June 1, 2001. King Gyanendra became the new king of Nepal. He immediately deposed the elected government and took complete control. Due to unstable governments, public support moved away from monarchy. Political parties joined hands with the Maoists in their revolution for a republic which came to be known as Nepal's Second Mass Movement. The main principle behind this movement was equitable, participatory and inclusive democracy.

Due to nationwide protests and no support from international community, King Gyanendra had to reinstate the parliament. A seven party coalition agreed to abolish monarchy and establish a Federal Democratic Republic. Under the UN mediation, Maoist signed peace accord with the government on 21 November, 2006 and decided to enter mainstream parliamentary politics. Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal 2047 was suspended and The Interim Constitution of Nepal 2063 was promulgated on 15 January 2007. Maoists secured a simple majority in elections held on 10 April 2008. The newly elected constituent assembly declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic on 28 May, 2008. Reservations were created in government jobs immediately after the success of this movement after amendment in Civil Services Act. Dr. Ram Baran Yadav became the first President of Nepal on July 23, 2008. Nepal was declared a secular country. His Majesty’s Government was replaced by Nepal Government, all the powers of the King were suspended, his property was made taxable, Royal Nepal Army was named Nepal Army, and the existing National Anthem was suspended. The First Parliament cum Constituent Assembly could not draft the constitution even in the extended time. Seeing no hope of constitution from the first CA, it was dissolved with the announcement of elections for the next CA. The responsibility of fair elections was on Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi making him the interim Prime Minister. Nepali Congress got majority in elections conducted on 19 November 2013. Finally, Nepal got its first constitution made by the people elected by the Nepalese in the form of Constitution of Nepal 2072 on 20 September 2015.