This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30901175

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nepal's hamstrung constitution: Why the wait? Nepal's hamstrung constitution: Why the wait?
(about 18 hours later)
Nepal's wait for a new constitution has been long and painful, and followed a decade of bloody civil war.Nepal's wait for a new constitution has been long and painful, and followed a decade of bloody civil war.
Under the country's former monarchy the constitution was written by commissions approved by the king - but Maoist rebels fought an insurgency to overthrow the monarchy and install a new democratic republic.Under the country's former monarchy the constitution was written by commissions approved by the king - but Maoist rebels fought an insurgency to overthrow the monarchy and install a new democratic republic.
A fresh constitution would be another step in Nepal's democratisation, which began in 2007 with the signing of a historic peace agreement between the Maoists and the then government. A fresh constitution would be another step in Nepal's democratisation, which began in 2006 with the signing of a historic peace agreement between the Maoists and the then government.
But since then hopes of progress have stalled as political parties failed to agree over such key issues as the names and number of proposed states, forms of governance and electoral and judicial systems.But since then hopes of progress have stalled as political parties failed to agree over such key issues as the names and number of proposed states, forms of governance and electoral and judicial systems.
Repeated deadlines for a new constitution have been missed and several governments have come and gone.Repeated deadlines for a new constitution have been missed and several governments have come and gone.
Deadline loomingDeadline looming
The first elections after the 2007 peace agreement catapulted the Maoist former rebels, now known as the United Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist (UCPN-Maoist), to power. They became the largest party ahead of the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML), which were relegated to the second and third largest elected political forces respectively. The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) also emerged as a remarkable force from the Madhesi plains of southern Nepal bordering India. The first elections after the 2006 peace agreement catapulted the Maoist former rebels, now known as the United Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist (UCPN-Maoist), to power. They became the largest party ahead of the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML), which were relegated to the second and third largest elected political forces respectively. The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) also emerged as a remarkable force from the Madhesi plains of southern Nepal bordering India.
But petty politics meant this first Constituent Assembly (CA), elected in May 2008, failed in its mission to give Nepal its badly-needed constitution by May 2012.But petty politics meant this first Constituent Assembly (CA), elected in May 2008, failed in its mission to give Nepal its badly-needed constitution by May 2012.
The Maoists then lost power in the second CA elections held in November 2013, emerging as the third largest force after the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.The Maoists then lost power in the second CA elections held in November 2013, emerging as the third largest force after the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.
Nepal's established parties were back on top and their leaders set a new deadline for the constitution: 22 January 2015.Nepal's established parties were back on top and their leaders set a new deadline for the constitution: 22 January 2015.
But the work is far from done.But the work is far from done.
Sticking pointsSticking points
The new political order post-2013 sent the former rebel Maoist party and the newly-emerged Madhesi parties to the opposition benches. Nepali Congress leader Sushil Koirala, who leads a coalition alongside the CPN-UML, took on the responsibility of promulgating the new constitution, where the Maoists had failed.The new political order post-2013 sent the former rebel Maoist party and the newly-emerged Madhesi parties to the opposition benches. Nepali Congress leader Sushil Koirala, who leads a coalition alongside the CPN-UML, took on the responsibility of promulgating the new constitution, where the Maoists had failed.
Yet the same issues which stymied earlier attempts remain. These are:Yet the same issues which stymied earlier attempts remain. These are:
Threat of unrestThreat of unrest
The opposition players, known for their hard-line postures on federalism, forms of governance and the electoral system, are not giving in easily.The opposition players, known for their hard-line postures on federalism, forms of governance and the electoral system, are not giving in easily.
Maoist leader Prachanda has demanded that their views be taken into consideration. An alliance of 30 parties including the Madhesi that he leads has already started street protests and strikes.Maoist leader Prachanda has demanded that their views be taken into consideration. An alliance of 30 parties including the Madhesi that he leads has already started street protests and strikes.
"Even if the consensus is not made, the sky won't fall," Dinanath Sharma, a Maoist leader, told the BBC."Even if the consensus is not made, the sky won't fall," Dinanath Sharma, a Maoist leader, told the BBC.
"If the ruling alliance opts for the so-called voting procedure to end disputes related to the constitution, it will push the nation towards confrontation, which will not be good.""If the ruling alliance opts for the so-called voting procedure to end disputes related to the constitution, it will push the nation towards confrontation, which will not be good."
Meanwhile, the bid to restore Nepal to its Hindu state status - by undoing the declaration made after a republic was declared in 2008 - appears to be getting stronger, with the pro-Hindu monarchy party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party - Nepal (RPP-Nepal), maintaining its campaign.Meanwhile, the bid to restore Nepal to its Hindu state status - by undoing the declaration made after a republic was declared in 2008 - appears to be getting stronger, with the pro-Hindu monarchy party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party - Nepal (RPP-Nepal), maintaining its campaign.
In the face of frantic political negotiations, one thing is for sure: unless the parties reach a consensus, the proposed Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal will remain a mirage for Nepal's 30-million population.In the face of frantic political negotiations, one thing is for sure: unless the parties reach a consensus, the proposed Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal will remain a mirage for Nepal's 30-million population.