Democracy News

Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns
August 30, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On August 14, the New York Times reported that Nepalese Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal resigned after three months in office, due to the country’s ongoing political stalemate that has held parliament in deadlock. Khanal is the third prime minister to resign since the May 2008 election. Khanal was elected in February 2011, after 17 rounds of inconclusive voting for a new prime minister. Khanal had previously stated that he would step down by August 13 if there was no significant progress made on the peace process or the formation of a power-sharing government.

During Khanal’s six-month tenure, his government made slow progress in three areas:  1) establishing a peace agreement after Nepal's 1996-2006 civil war, 2) writing a new constitution, and 3) integrating the Maoists' People's Liberation Army, with its nearly 20,000 fighters, into the mainstream. According to the Guardian, Khanal's office said in a statement that the "prime minister has resigned to pave the way for a national government that will be able to conclude the peace process and the new constitution."

On August 29, the Nepalese parliament elected Baburam Bhattarai, as the country’s new prime minister. Bhattarai, a Maoist, is the senior leader and intellectual force behind the United Communist Party of Nepal, the New York Times reported.

In an interview with the BBC News, Bhattarai stated, "Being the largest party it is our legitimate right to lead the government - though we wanted to form a consensus government, we have to go through a majoritarian practice." "Despite that, my effort will be to convert this government into a national unity government and then reach an agreement on all the major issues and complete our mission," he added.

Nepal's government has been deadlocked since former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned in June 2010, under pressure from the Maoist opposition. Maoists control most seats in parliament, but not enough to rule by majority. The Maoists were allowed to rejoin the government following a 2006 peace agreement that ended a decade-long Maoist insurgency. The peace process has since been stalled by deep divisions between the country’s political parties with both sides disagreeing on the new constitution and on the future of about 19,000 former Maoist fighters who are living in camps.

For previous news on Nepal, please see:
Political Deadlock Continues As Nepalese Government Fails to Elect New Prime Minister

Sources:
New York Times – Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns, Citing a Stalemate

The Guardian – Nepal's prime minister resigns

BBC News – New Nepal PM Baburam Bhattarai pledges to secure peace

New York Times – Nepal Elects a Maoist as Prime Minister