Former Nepalese Rebels Win Big
Maoist Secure Comfortable Majority in Constituent Assembly Polls
Constituent Assembly elections held on April 10th, delivers a big surprise to two largest political parties in the country-Nepali Congress and the Nepal Communist Party.
Nepal’s Maoists, who launched a violent uprising against constitutional monarchy in 1996, are now set to lead the country after scoring a decisive win against its major opponents-Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party (UML).
Poll Results
The 601-member constituent assembly will have 240 members through direct voting and rest through Proportional Representation system.
Out of 240 constituencies conducting direct voting, 212 have so far declared results. Latest poll results show that the Maoists have won 116 seats. Nepali congress has 32 seats and the Communist Party (UML) has 30. Regional parties, including the Madhesh Janatantrik Forum (which is active in the terai region of Nepal), have won 35 seats.
Big Leaders Lose to Newcomers
Maoists sweeping victory has caused a number of established national leaders from Nepali Congress and Communist Party UML to face defeat.
Madhav Kumar Nepal, UML’s Secretary General, lost to a relatively less known Maoist candidate Jhakku Prasad Subedi. His party’s heavy weights like Bharat Mohan Adhikari, K.P Oli also lost to their Maoist challengers.
On the Nepali Congress side, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who was a major force behind the peace agreement with the Maoists, lost to Maoist Purna Prasad Rajbansi. Stalwarts like Chakra Prasad Bastola, Chiranjibi Wagle also lost.
Winds of Change
While the Nepalese and international media are still struggling to define what Maoist victory in a free and fair election means, Kathmandu is already feeling the winds of change.
Immediately after his defeat, UML General Secretary Madhav Nepal resigned from his position, taking full responsibility for his party’s dismal showing at the polls.
The Himalayan Times reported on April16th that the UML is now quitting the coalition government. Seven ministers representing UML in the government, including foreign minister Sahana Pradhan, have submitted their resignation to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Nepal Congress is also turning to introspection. According to NepalNews, Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior party leader, has asked his party members to start working on strengthening the party after its defeat at the polls.
Neighbors and International Community React
India, reacting to Maoist victory, has said that it is ready to work with them. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee congratulated Maoist leader Prachanda and said that India respects election results and the decision made by the Nepalese.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokswoman Jiang Yu's, on April 15th, reacting to Nepal’s poll results said that “China is happy to see the smooth Constituent Assembly Election in Nepal. Nepal is China's friendly neighbor. We respect the Nepalese people's choice of their social system and development road in line with their own national conditions.”
United States has yet to comment on the results but it has congratulated the people of Nepal for successful elections.
The European Union has welcomed the largely peaceful, free and fair elections.
