Nepal’s Long Transisition to Democracy

What is the issue?

• The upcoming elections in Nepal will be the first under its new 2015 constitution and will complete its democratic transition.
• India must play an enabling role in this tumultuous transition from a 240-year-old monarchy to a multi-party polity.

How did democracy evolve in Nepal?

• Abolishing Monarchy - A Maoist insurgency erupted in the mid-1990s which claimed nearly 15,000 casualties.
• In 2005, after a peace accord, the Maoist joined the political mainstream and subsequently contested elections. 
• Monarchy was overthrown in 2006 and a 601-member Constituent Assembly (CA) was elected in 2008 with a two-year mandate to draft a new constitution.
• Constitution - CA failed in its mandate after multiple extensions and finally lapsed in 2012 after the Supreme Court’s intervention.

• Despite the lack of consensus for a constitution, this period, notably, saw  the rehabilitation of former maoist militants.
• A new CA was finally elected in November 2013, with eventually concluded the long delayed constitutional draft.  
• Terai Dissent - New Constitution enjoyed considereable support, but wasn’t liked by ‘Madhesis & Janjatis’ of plains bordering India.
• While India sought to address the Madhesi cause, the Katmandu establishment saw this as interventionsist.
• Nepal even started talk of enhancing co-operation with China through Tibetian plateau to off-set India.
• Local Body Elections - Eventually, there was a regime change and a new coallision under Mr.Prachandra came to power.
• Notably, the elections to the 753 local bodies in Nepal was held earlier this year after a 20-year gap under the Prachandra regime.
• Future - Nepal will elect seven provincial assemblies along with its parliament as per the 2015 constitution.
• Parliament and the provincial assemblies will in turn elect a new president and vice president.

What is the future of Indo-Nepal ties?

• One of the important challenges for the new government will be to address Madhesi grievances through constitutional ammendments.
• India seems to have recognised that its overt support to the Madhesi cause had hurt diplomatic relations with Nepal.
• It has hence currently been urging the Madhesi leadership to work from within the system rather than through agitation or boycott.
• An increased Chinese presence through infrastructure projects under the ‘Belt & Road Initiative’ is a real risk.
• Hence, an early move by Delhi, to build positive equations with whatever regime takes shape in Katmandu is necessary.

Source: The Hindu