Kathmandu, May 28
Nepal today scripted a new chapter in its turbulent history as the new Constituent Assembly abolished the 240-year-old monarchy and declared the country a “secular, federal democratic republic”.

The 601-member Assembly met at the Birendra International Convention Centre this evening where a motion was passed to declare the country the world’s newest republic. After a series of meetings, the Seven Party Alliance agreed to table the motion of republic in the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly, dominated by Maoists.

Out of 601 members of the Constituent Assembly, 572 were present during today’s meeting. The motion to declare the country a republic was moved by home minister Krishna Prasad Sitola on behalf of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. The motion was passed by 560 votes in favour while four members opposed it.

The motion said Nepal would be secular, federal, democratic republic nation and the King, Gyanendra would be reduced to a common citizen. The King would lose all the cultural, administrative and political powers. The king and the royal family members would enjoy the rights that were meant for any common man, the motion said.

It said the May 28 would be celebrated as the Republic Day of the nation every year. There would be a President, who would be the head of the state, while the Prime Minister would be the executive head.

The four members, who opposed the motion, are members of the pro-King Rashtriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, Constituent Assembly chairman Kulbahadur Gurung announced after the voting. The country was declared republic as per Article 159 of the interim constitution, he said.

The ruling alliance had earlier agreed to give 15 days time to the King to leave the Narayanhiti palace, which would be converted into a museum.

The Cabinet is yet to nominate 26 members and three were absent. Earlier today, the CA meeting was postponed in the morning as more time was needed for the political parties to arrive at consensus regarding the issue of making a separate provision for President.

The political parties have already agreed to create a post of President, armed with the powers of imposing emergency and carrying the title of the Supreme Commander of the Nepal army, according to Nepali Congress sources. — PTI