On April 10, 2008 historical election of CA was held, approximately 60 percent of eligible voters participated with the rays of hope for developed & peaceful Nepal. With direct and proportional election system representing 601 total seats, Maoists obtained 229, NC had 115, UML and MJF had 108 & 54 respectively and remaining seats distributed to more than 21 small parties but till the 4 years time those 21 parties divided more over different issues. There were 25 political parties in the beginning of CA Session but they were already 33 till its demise.
From the first session of CA on May 28, 2008, 240 year-old monarchy was abolished from the country making amendment to the Interim Constitution and Nepal started following ‘Constitutional President’ and ‘Executive Prime Minister’, Officially the republic of Nepal. King Gyanendra left Narayanhiti Palace on June 11, 2008 and started his life as a commoner in Nagarjun Palace. It was very easy abolishment of the Monarchy in the world history.
Dr. Ram Baran Yadav become the First President of Nepal on July 21, 2008. Maoist leader Prachanda became the first Prime Minister of Republic Nepal. He resigned on May 4, 2009 because of his disagreement with the President over the dismissal of Army Chief Rukmangad Katuwal.
Madav Kumar Nepal from CPN-UML became Prime Minister of Nepal on 25 May 2009. Prime Minister Nepal resigned on June 30, 2010. He continued his work as caretaker PM till February 6, 2011 because sixteen rounds of voting in parliament since July were unable to produce a new prime minister as no political party could gather a majority.
On 3 February 2011, one of the PM candidate, CPN-Maoist leader Prachanda withdrawn his candidacy, and backed Jhala Nath Khanal from CPN-UML. On 6 February 2011 Jhala Nath Khanal became the 34th PM of the Country and was 3rd since Nepal became a republic. Jhala Nath Khanal, was forced to step down on August 14 when the Maoists withdrew their support for his government. He was in office till 29 August 2011.
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai became the Prime Minister of Nepal from 29 August 2011. Dr. Bhattarai enjoyed so much popular support in the history of Nepal. At the beginning of his office, he applied few reforms and won more public approval but his popularity faded as his ministers’ council asked President to pardon Balkrishna Dhungel, an accused murderer and a member of CA from his own party, the Maoist. The Bhattarai government registered the bill in parliament to extend the CA term by 3 months but the Supreme Court has rejected the proposal.
More than 4 years of CA became just the race for PM & there was nothing mentionable events to revive the hope of general public.
Prachanda (CPN-Maoist) – 280 Days
Madhav K. Nepal (CPN-UML) – 622 Days
Jhala Nath Khanal (CPN-UML) – 204 Days
Baburam Bhattarai (CPN-Maoist) – Incumbent – 276 Days (till date)
Nepal mourned the demise of CA on 28th May 2012 and decades long wish of Nepalese to promulgate their constitution through CA faded away. The major reason behind the failure of CA was the model of federalism to be implemented. As the parties tried to get support on their own model, they failed to get the consensus till the mid night. Just few minutes before dissolution of CA, PM Dr. Bhattarai announced a new Constituent Assembly election to be held on 22 November 2012 but few political parties including Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are not accepting the PM’s move.
{Compiled from different Sources.}
