The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE provisional Parliament of Nepal voted on Friday for abolition of the country's 240-year-old monarchy. The decision was reached on the basis of a two-thirds majority votes. It is gathered from media reports that in the 329-seat parliament, 270 votes were cast in favour and three against the motion for abolition. The result of the voting is subject to approval by the special Assembly, which is due to be elected by mid-April next year. This decision of the Parliament cleared the way for declaring the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, the only Hindu state in the world, a federal democratic republic.

The Nepalese government and political forces agreed to abolish the monarchy as part of a deal to persuade Maoist forces to rejoin the government. After a decade-long insurgency, the Maoists agreed to put an end to the 'people's war' and join the government on condition, among others, that Nepal would be freed from monarchic rule and declared a republic. Under the deal, a general election would be held next year and a constituent assembly established to adopt a new constitution for the likely republic. It is in pursuance of the above deal that Parliament took the above decision. King Birendra, former monarch and elder brother of the present king, had declared Nepal a constitutional monarchy to be governed by a cabinet elected by the Parliament with the king as titular head. But after the assumption of power following the killing of Birendra, King Gyanendra initiated a reversal of what had been decided earlier and started concentrating powers in his hand. This development seems to have accelerated the process of end of the monarchy itself.

A number of developed countries including UK, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark have monarchs as their heads of state. Though monarchs in these countries have very limited powers, they play important roles. They appoint or approve the appointment of ministers and officials of different constitutional bodies. More importantly, they are looked upon as symbols of unity of their respective countries. But one great thing with these countries is that they have well-established legal and constitutional institutions functioning democratically. Most of the modern day countries do not have monarchic systems and are ruled by elected heads of state or government. Monarchism is a part of the political superstructure. It has little implication in the economic development of the developed countries that have monarchs. According to political analysts, many Nepalese will be happy to have a republic. The people of Nepal are the ultimate force to determine the nature of their state. But the elimination of monarchy or establishment of a republic is not an end in itself. Whatever course they may choose, the people should have a democratic system that would be conducive to the well-being of the masses.