Kathmandu, April 24
The 13th Democracy Day is being celebrated across the country today with fanfare by organizing different programmes.
The then King Gyanendra had reinstated the parliament 13 years ago in 11 Baisakh, 2063 BS that was dissolved in 8 Jestha, 2059 BS.
The election could not take place due to the prevalence of armed conflict in the country following the parliament dissolve. In the meantime, King Gyanendra seized power and performed the executive role.
A 12-point Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) was signed between the then agitating Seven Party Alliance and then rebel, CPN (Maoist), after the despotic King took executive power in 19 Magh 2061 BS.
The protest against the absolute monarchy gained momentum when the political forces divided into three poles merged into two through 12-point peace accord in Mangsir 2062 BS.
The People’s Movement that had begun in Falgun 2062 BS took pace in Chaitra same year. Tens of thousands people had hit the street since the beginning of the New Year of 2063 BS (1 Baisakh).
Being based on the draft of an agreement prepared by the agitating parties, King Gyanendra proclaimed the reinstatement of dissolved parliament and summoned its first meeting. Hence, the day today is known as Democracy Day.
The reinstated parliament in 4 Chaitra 2063 BS had curtailed the rights of the palace. The historical meeting brought the Maoists into the peace process and endorsed a resolution to hold the Constituent Assembly elections. Some people also term this day a Magna Carta in the political history of Nepal.
Nepal saw the first-ever CA election in 28 Chaitra 2064 BS. The first CA meeting held in 15 Jestha 2065 BS officially abolished 240-year-old monarchy. The first CA which could not deliver the constitution had done a great deal in the making of the national charter.
The CA election held second time in 4 Mangsir 2070 BS had promulgated the Constitution of Federal Democratic Republic Nepal in 2 Asoj 2072 BS.
Now. all three tiers of elections have been accomplished in the country as per the Constitution. Likewise, the federal, provincial and local governments have come into being.
So, Baisakh 11 is celebrated as the Democracy Day since this day is an avenue of change in Nepal.
