2nd Nepalese Constituent Assembly

Nepal
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Nepal
Constitution
Executive President Ram Baran Yadav Vice President Parmanand Jha Prime Minister Sushil Koirala
Legislature Constituent Assembly Chairman: Subash C. Nemwang Vice Chairman: Purna K. Subedi
Judiciary Supreme Court Chief Justice: Khil Raj Regmi
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The 2nd Nepalese Constituent Assembly is a unicameral body of 601 members tasked with drafting a new constitution for Nepal.^[1] It also serves as the country's parliament. It was formed as the result of the 2013 Constituent Assembly elections after the failure the first Constituent Assembly to pass a new constitution.^[2]

Opening

Former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, the oldest member of the house, assumed chairmanship of the CA on January 20, 2014^[3] and administered the oath of office to 565 lawmakers at the first meeting of the assembly on January 21, 2014.^[4] Leaders of the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) pledged to draft a new constitution within a year.^[5] More than 80% of the members are new faces. ^[6]

Power-sharing discussions

On January 26, 2014, President Ram Baran Yadav called for the election of a Prime Minister and the formation of a consensus government within a week^[7] as per article 38(1) of the constitution which provides for the formation of a government through political understanding.^[8] The Nepali Congress obtained the support of the CPN-UML for a NC-led consensus government^[9] and the two parties also agreed to hold local body elections within six months and adopt a new constitution within a year.^[10] An all-party meeting followed at which the CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and MPRF-Loktantrik expressed support for a government under Sushil Koirala. The RRP-N boycotted the meeting.^[11] Further discussions were held between the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) at which the Maoists expressed support for the idea of a NC-led government but did not agree to join the government and decided to stay in opposition.^[12] On February 2, 2014, the NC abandoned its pursuit of a consensus government under article 38(1) of the constitution after the RPP-N and UCPN (Maoist), the third and fourth largest parties, decided not to join the government. The party has initiated talks with the CPN-UML to form a majority government under article 38(2) of the constitution^[13][14]

Composition

A total of thirty political parties and two independents are represented in the second constituent assembly^[15]

References