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In-Depth Information
rights, and fundamental freedoms. The grand success of the
bandh
(general strike) in Kathmandu spread rapidly to other
cities, resulting in complete stagnation of the country's econﾭ
omy. The people's movement lasted fewer than two months
and resulted in the loss of 50 lives and thousands of injuries.
Unable to control widespread public marches, increasing
casualties, and eroding support for the monarchy, King Birenﾭ
dra declared a multiparty democracy. This was accomplished
by lifting the ban on political parties, which occurred in April
1990. The Rastriya Panchayat was dissolved. The president
of the Nepali Congress, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, formed a
cabinet comprising four members from the Nepali Congress,
three from the United Left Front, two human rights activists,
and two royal nominees. As the goal of the interim governﾭ
ment, a new constitution was proclaimed on November 9,
1990. The following May, an election was held for members
of a House of Representatives; the Nepali Congress once
again won the majority of seats. Girija Prasad Koiralaﾭthe
youngest brother of Matrika Prasad and Bishweshor Prasad
Koiralaﾭserved as prime minister.
DEMOCRATIC MULTIPARTY sYsTEM
In 1990, the interim government proclaimed the new demoﾭ
cratic constitution, which established fundamental human
rights, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monﾭ
archy. The Nepali Congress Party won the majority of seats and
formed the government in 1991. It was only the second elected
democratic government in Nepal's history. Unfortunately, the
Parliament was dissolved due to internal conflict within the
ruling Nepali Congress Party. The government conducted
another general election in November 1994, in which no party
gained a majority.
As a result of the stalemate, the Nepal Communist Party,
United Marxist and Leninist (UML), formed a minority governﾭ
ment for the first time in Nepal. It was headed by Man Mohan
