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