Did the recent election really change Nepal?

There was so much hope around the CA election in Nepal last November . . . and yet still we wait!

Here are some thoughts from one of our class 10 students, Sabitri.

Nepalese people have long suffered from broken promises and the mistakes of the political leaders and their parties. The country had hoped for a new constitution after the successful first Constituent Assembly Election held on Chaitra 28, 2064. However, so far this hasn't happened even though it has been over five years. So, the Second Constituent Assembly Election was crucial for the future of Nepal and its people.

Despite the instability and disorder, the second CA election was successfully held in November 2013. Surprisingly, the result favoured the Nepali Congress over other parties. The next step was for the government to be formed, consisting of 601 members – 245 directly elected members, 335 proportionate members and 26 nominated by cabinet. Nearly 2 months have passed but still the government remains unformed. Instead, the parties are fighting a cold war between their own members over the powerful seats in the parliament. As a result, Nepali Congress has not been able to obtain a majority leaving the future still uncertain.

The caretaker government under Chief Justice Khila Raj Regmi, which was supposed to be dissolved after the election, is still actively doing the government’s job.  People participated in the election with an expectation of a better country through a better government. But now people don't even know what is going on within the parties. All this fighting obviously will delay the constitution making process even further.

I am not optimistic about the government's ability to deliver. The present scenario compels me to feel so. I think spending millions of rupees from the State Treasury for the election caused a huge loss for the country with no clear benefit. We can only wait and see.

Sabitri Pathak,

Class 10