Political Crisis in Nepal: Is the

–         M.B. SINGH

The April Movement (AM), 2005 of Nepal has great importance in the political history ofNepal. Its character, in the main, is bourgeoisie, but in a limited sense. Out of the achievements of the AM the election of the constituent assembly (CA) is of decisive importance, which in its very first session took the historical decisions to abolish monarchy and establish republic. But all these achievements are within semi-feudal and semi-colonial conditions. So the AM cannot be taken as a bourgeoisie democratic movement in a real sense. A bourgeoisie democratic movement, to be a real one, should bring an end to semi-feudal and semi-colonial condition and only a New Democratic Revolution can complete this responsibility. However, in spite of limited bourgeoisie character of the AM, considering upon the great changes brought about by it, the AM should be regarded as a progressive one. But it seems that after the election of the CA, the progressive character of the AM has come to a halt. That is obvious from its failure to enact constitution.

The CA passed away without making constitution. As the election of the CA was a great historical achievement, the dissolution of that without making constitution is a most unfortunate event. The CA in fact was the by-product of the political change of 1951. The people or various political forces of the country have been struggling continuously for that for last six decades. But in spite of its election, it could not bring to completion the assignment given to it by the people to make the constitution.

The CA could not fulfill its great mission of constitution making even in the period of two years formerly fixed and extension of its period again and again. The dissolution of the CA without making constitution is a great loss. It is difficult to forecast how long we should have to struggle and how much sacrifices we shall have to perform to fulfill the loss caused by the dissolution of the CA. Now the main task before the country is to make the democratic constitution. It would not be possible to consolidate or to institutionalize the republic in absence of the democratic constitution. CA has gone. But it has left behind it a challenge before the whole country and people. The future of the country will depend upon how much successfully and skillfully this challenge will be met. The challenge is concentrated on the task of making the constitution.

There is a long history of constitutional development in Nepal. Many constitutions have been enacted during the last six and half decades. Out of all the constitutions of the past, that differentiate the constitution, which is to be built today, is its republican aspect. The constitution which will be enacted in the present condition will be definitely within the limits of semi-feudal and semi-colonial condition. So it would not have a revolutionary character or it would not be people