New Prime Minister of Nepal

Veteran Communist leader and former General Secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation on May 25, 2009, capping the three-week long political crisis in the country that eased Maoists out of power after a confrontation with the Army. The President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Nepal, the second Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Madhav replaced Prachanda who resigned as Prime Minister on May 4 after differences with President Yadav on the issue of sacking of Army Chief Gen Rukmangad Katawal.

The Maoists, whose nearly nine-month-old Government collapsed after CPN-UML withdrew support, had blocked Parliament for weeks before allowing the Government formation. Three fringe left parties — CPN-United, CPN-Unified and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party — have decided to extend support from outside.

The 56-year-old Madhav also heads the Constitutional Committee that is tasked with presenting the new constitution by 2010. Madhav expressed the hope that the Maoists would join the government. He believed that they too had a historic responsibility.

Restoration of Peace Process
Immediately after assuming office, the newly elected Prime Minister, Madhav said his Government was committed to taking the ongoing peace process to a logical end and would draft the new Constitution within a stipulated time frame. In accordance with the existing constitutional provision, the Nepal’s Constituent Assembly has to promulgate the new constitution by May 27, 2010.

The new Prime Minister said that the cooperation from all sides — political parties and the general public — was needed to address the needs of the country which he admitted was in a difficult situation.

The previous Government was plagued with inherent contradictions and was shaky right from the start. Its constituents framed their common minimum programme amidst bickering and differences. Thus, it is no surprise that it hardly achieved anything. It allowed itself to be distracted by trivial issues and neither concentrated on development nor took care of the grievances of the people.

Tough Task Ahead
Like the previous Government, the new Government too has the historic task to complete, that of meaningful conclusion of the peace process and delivering of a new Constitution within the stipulated time.

As Prime Minister, Madhav faces a series of challenges — taking the peace process forward, rewriting the statute, consolidating democracy in the country that abolished its 240-year monarchy in 2008 to become a republic and tackling the Maoists, sulking after being pushed out of power.
Madhav, though a Communist, is known to be a moderate. He is an experienced politician, something which should help him tackle the challenges that lie ahead. For, his country has faced much neglect in the past. It was nearly laid to waste during the conflict with the Maoists.