Koirala's Stand On Monarchy : Republic, But Gradually

Geja Sharma Wagle

At a time when the leaders of the political parties have been engaging on contentious issue whether or not the interim legislature declare a republic state, Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala has cautiously revealed that Nepal has already moved into a republic setup and the republic would be established gradually. Prime Minister Koirala has opined that receiving the credential of the foreign ambassadors by the prime minister is a historic event and a strong philosophical foundation for establishing a democratic republic. Addressing the party men in the capital, Koirala had divulged that the Eight-Party Alliance (EPA) should gradually strip away all the powers of the King and finally declare a republic. As per his analysis, the democratic republic is inevitable but it will take some more time.

Expectation

The Nepali people, all the political parties, and civil society had expected a clear policy regarding the monarchy, restructuring of the state, and the federal structure of the nation. But the-much-media-hyped meetings of the NC presidents did not take any significant political decision, especially regarding the monarchy and federalism. However, Prime Minister Koirala made an ambiguous but strategic statement regarding the monarchy and establishing a republic. He neither turned down the republic proposal as proposed by the prominent cadres nor advocated in favor of 'ceremonial King' as he did in the past. In fact, he strategically opined that the democratic republic should be established gradually rather than hurriedly probably considering the future election strategy. But he outrightly rejected the proposal that has demanded to declare the republic by the interim legislature by the communist parties.

Probably, considering the implication of the declaration, international opinions, and the legitimacy of the declaration, he turned down the controversial proposal of the communist parties. Referring to the interim constitution, he argued that the much-awaited constituent assembly (CA) elections will decide all the centuries-old controversial political, social, and constitutional issues of Nepal including the fate of the monarchy permanently. And the constituent assembly will draft a democratic and inclusive constitution and a complete democracy will be established as per the wishes of the Nepali people. Underlining the historical contributions of the NC for establishing democracy and people's supremacy since 1950, he has expressed the firm commitment to hold the CA elections in November at any cost and which would draft a new democratic constitution respecting the wishes of the people. Considering the political sensitivity in the given situation, he answered both ceremonial monarchists and republicans by the very ambiguous statement. It seems he is trying to follow a centrist policy to defuse the extreme polarization between the monarchists and republicans for democracy and the party to survive. Had the NC decided either for ceremonial monarch or republic, there might be extreme polarization between the ceremonial monarchists and republicans. And the possible polarization might have been harmful for the NC politically as well as strategically because an extreme polarization between the extreme left and extreme right is always detrimental for the centrist.

Not only strategically but ideologically as well, the NC would not be in favor of monarchy and would be in favor of establishing democratic republic, people's supremacy, and rule of law. It is the NC that has been fighting against the monarchy and in favor of democracy since 1950. It is the NC that has overthrown the tyrannical Rana regime and established democracy in 1950 through popular movement. Similarly, the NC has established democracy in 1990. Likewise, under the leadership of the NC the historic people's peaceful movement 2006 had put an end to the despotic regime of King Gyanendra and established democracy. Therefore, it is the NC which has been fighting against the authoritarian monarchy for establishing democracy and people's supremacy since a long time. However, the NC has been following a multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchical policy since its inception. Due to its constitutional monarchical policy, it did not bring an end to monarchy and did not establish a democratic republic in 1950 and 1990 terming it as a symbol of national unity. The NC did believe in the past that a democracy and monarchy could go together and it would not pose any harm to democracy. Had the NC decided against the monarchy, a democratic republic would have been established in 1950 or 1990. But the NC did not decide against the monarchy and the out-dated monarchy had been given a rebirth. But the power hungry kings proved the NC wrong and whenever they got a chance they attacked democracy and the NC, time and again, and they took over power.

In fact, the NC fought against, the then Rana authoritarian regime, despotic and autocratic kings, tyrannical Panchayat, and totalitarian dictator Gyanendra. But the NC never compromised against the democratic principles. Realizing these very realities, the NC deleted its out-dated constitutional monarchical policy from its preamble for the first time in its history. In fact, it is the considerable policy shift towards the democratic republic. Analyzing the evolution to the policy towards the democratic republic gradually and the given political situation, the NC would not be back and it will gradually move towards the republic era as outlined by Koirala. The NC has understood that the monarchy is a past and the republic is the future because the interim constitution has already suspended King Gyanendra. The NC will not be a captive of the past but will be a herald of the future.Whether the NC should declare that it is in favor of republic or not, it is a most controversial debate within the NC at the moment. But, as a responsible political party that has the faith and trust of the Nepali people and the entire international community, NC should take a responsible political decision considering the volatile political situation and the international concerns. Therefore, the NC and the interim government should take a less risky and more acceptable decision to the people. Therefore, as defined by Koirala, the gradual evolution of republic might be the best strategy at the moment for the survival of democracy.

Question

The declaration of the republic from the Interim Legislature might be a controversial decision. There might raise the question over the legitimacy of the proclamation and international community might be divided. Considering the implication of the proclamation, the government should take a legitimate decision. Democracy is not only a declaration; it is a system, people's mandate, and the due process of law.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 15, 2007