The Nepali Congress (Democratic), an ally in the seven-party coalition that has been waging a pro-democracy movement, has officially removed ‘constitutional monarchy’ from its statute.

Former Prime Minister and NC (Democratic) President Sher Bahaudur Deuba (File photo)

Former Prime Minister and NC (Democratic) President Sher Bahaudur Deuba (File photo)
The first general convention of the party, which is underway at the Birendra International Convention Centre, Kathmandu, today endorsed a proposal to break from the constitutional monarchy “as the King has made continuous attempts to curtail the rights of the people even as the latter have always stood by him.” The proposal also pointed out that the steps taken by the King have proved that democracy and monarchy cannot go together in the country.

The proposal, drafted in the meeting of the central working committee prior to the general convention, was passed unanimously in the close-door session, which ended Saturday afternoon. The close-door session also ratified the political, economic and social proposals with some amendment, leaders said.

Two major allies in the seven-party coalition, CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress (NC), have already removed constitutional monarchy from their party statutes, holding the ‘royal autocracy’ responsible in the path towards ‘total democracy’.

Meanwhile, the NC (D) general convention has elected Sher Bahadur Deuba as the party president for a second term as nobody filed nomination challenging him.

Acting party president Gopal Man Shrestha and central leaders, Deep Kumar Upadhaya, Hom Nath Dahal, Kishor Singh Rathore, Basanta Gurung, Bal Krishna Khad and Dr Prakash Saran Mahat proposed Deuba’s name for the party president’s post while Bijay Gachhedar, Bimalendra Nidhi, Gyanendra Karki, NP Saud, Uma Adhikari, Dr Minendra Rijal, Ramesh Rijal supported the proposal.

Deuba, who was ousted from the prime minister’s seat on February 1 2005 when the King assumed direct power, is facing jail since last few months on corruption charges in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project contract.

Likewise, the NC (D) elected Prakash Man Singh, who is in custody on corruption charges in the same case, as the CWC member.

1,465 general convention representatives will cast votes to elect 26 CWC members on Sunday.

The NC (D) has allocated five seats for indigenous communities, women, Dalits and Karnali region in the CWC. As per the amended party statute, two seats each will be reserved for indigenous communities and women and one each for Dalits and the Karnali region.