The Dawn of Democracy

Popular protests against the Ranas has started gaining some momentum from as far back as the early 1940s. In 1940, a number of young men were put to death, and long-term rigorous jail sentences were meted out to several others seeking to bring about political changes. An organized underground movement against the Ranas became stronger with the passing years. The independence of India in 1947 also consolidated the movement against the Ranas in Nepal. Bound as was the fate of the Ranas with that of the British rule in India, the termination of the British rule sealed the fate of the Rana rule in Nepal. And, in the meanwhile, the popular movement against the Ranas had gathered momentum.

Tensions went on mounting against the ruling Rana regime, which resulted in the collapse of their rule in February, 1951. Rana oligarchy gave way to democracy and King Tribhuvan returned to kathmandu from New Delhi to reassert the political power. Eight years later on February 18, 1959, the first ever general election on the basis of multiparty democratic system was held in Nepal. At that time, the Nepali Congress party was voted into power and a new government was formed. Shortly thereafter, on December 15, 1960, the parliamentary system of democracy was replaced by the Partyless Panchyat system.

In response to the interests of the people, on May 24, 1979, His Majesty King Birendra announced a national referendum, in which the people were urged to vote their choice between a multi-party system or the continuation of the Panchayat system with timely reforms. Approximately one year later, on May 2, 1980, polls of the national referendum were held. The party-less Panchayat system with timely reforms was voted in by a simple majority.

From the beginning of 1990, the movement for the restoration of parliamentary democracy accelerated and gained popular support through the country. All the parties previously banned formed a joint front to overthrow the Panchayat system and restore multi-party democracy. On April 8, 1990, the ban on political parties was lifted and multi-party democracy was restored with a midnight announcement following a dialogue between His Majesty King Birendra and the leaders of the major political parties. The day following the announcement the restoration of multi-party democracy was celebrated throughout the country.

On April 19, 1990, an interim government, composed of representatives of the major political parties, intellectuals and independents, was formed under the Prime Ministership of Mr. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. After planning and discussion, the new democratic constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal was promulgated on November 9, 1990. This paved the way for the general election which was held on May 12, 1991. In the general election, the Nepali Congress Party secured the majority with 110 seats out of 205 to the House of Representatives. The Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist-Leninist) won 69 seats and became the major opposition party in the House. On May 26, 1991, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala was appointed the new Prime Minister of Nepal and subsequently a 15 member Council of Ministers was constituted under his Chairmanship.

Three years later mid term poll held on 1994 (BS 2051, 29th Kartik) and the government was formed by the Communist Party of Nepal - United Marksist-Leninist (CPN-UML) which continued for 9 months. Six months later, the CPN-UML government dissolved the House of Representatives and announced the mid term poll, but three months later of dissolving the House the Supreme Court of Nepal reinstalled the House of Representative on 28th August 1995 (BS 2052, 12th Vadra). Then the new Coalition Government was formed by Nepali Congress Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Sadvabana Party.