Social Studies Note for Grade X | Unit- 7 | Lesson- 2 A Decade of Democratic Politics (2007-2017 BS)

A Decade of Democratic Politics (2007-2017 BS)

Promulgation of "Interim Government Act of Nepal, 2007"

According to the Delhi Agreement, a coalition government of the Nepali Congress and the Ranas was formed. This cabinet passed the "Interim Government Act of Nepal, 2007" on 17th Chaitra, 2007 BS. It was the first democratic constitution of Nepal.

Some important features of this constitution were:

1. There were the provisions for establishing legislature of people's representatives and directive principles and policies of the state.
2. Civil rights of the citizen were ensured in this constitution.
3. There were the provisions of Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and Advisory Council.

Conflict in Interim Cabinet

The coalition government could not work smoothly as there was always conflict between Rana and Congress. After the murder of Chiniya Kaji, a student leader in 2008 BS, the Nepali Congress and the Ranas blamed each other. On one hand, the Ranas' intention was to re-establish their old regime and on the other hand, the Nepali Congress thought that they couldn't work properly until Mohan Shumsher was in power. So, on 25th of Kartik 2008 BS, all the cabinet members from the side of the Nepali Congress resigned and Mohan Shumsher and other cabinet members from the side of the Ranas were also compelled to resign. The interim cabinet was dissolved.

Single-Party Government of the Nepali Congress

After the resignation of Mohan Shumsher, a 14 member cabinet was formed by King Tribhuvan under the Premiership of Matrika Prasad Koirala, the then president of the Nepali Congress on 1st Mangir 2008 BS. This cabinet had the following responsibilities to be fulfilled:

1. To establish independent Judicial department
2. To implement the provision of Public Service Commission
3. To hold the election of Constituent Assembly within the year of 2009 BS, and
4. To ascertain the civil rights of the people.

This government also could not function properly and failed.

Due to the following reasons, the single-party government of the Nepali Congress was dissolved:

1. A United Democratic Front had been formed by various political parties and organizations. They were demanding for an all- party government.
2. At the same time Dr. K. I. Singh started to revolt against this government. He was imprisoned in Singh Durbar under tight security on the charges of dacoit but his supporters attacked Singha Durbar and freed him. Then, he fled to Tibet.
3. Bhim Dutta Panta, one of the commanders of the People 's Liberation Army during the revolution was also very dissatisfied with the acts of this government. So, he launched a movement raising voice for land ownership, welfare of the people and security.
4. There was a conflict within the Nepali Congress. B.P. Koirala was opposing Matrika Prasad Koirala as he believed a single person should not hold both the posts of Party Chairperson and Prime Minister at a time.

Advisory Government

King Tribhuvan again formed a five member advisory government on 30th Shrawan 2009 BS with the intention of direct rule. A provision was made for the five members of the government to be responsible to the King and the approval of the King, to be compulsory for the decision of the meeting and its implementation. But this government was also criticised inside the country and by the Government of India as well. Political parties opposed it. "Peasants Revolt" started in the eastern part of Nepal in the leadership of the Nepali Congress. Government administration could not run properly. So, this government was also dissolved on 2nd Ashad, 2010 BS.