What created an environment that let the king instate Thapa? Madhab Kumar Nepal was backed by six parties including Deuba's breakaway Nepali Congress (Democratic). The Mandal faction of the Sadbhabana Party and the RPP came up with their own candidates. It is paradoxical that the king passed over the recommendation made by major political parties to act on one made by a minor player.
Is the new premiership unconstitutional?
Naming Thapa as prime minister was not another regressive step. It was a continuation of the king's October Fourth agenda.
The constitution allows for three ways of instating a prime minister-the leader of a party with the majority vote, a leader unanimously selected by all political parties and lastly, the leader of the largest party. All three options require the person to be a member of parliament. In our situation the premiership would be unconstitutional no matter who is in the prime ministerial seat.
However, I suggest that a solution can be found based on the present scenario instead of wasting time and energy on discussing constitutional legalities.
Will the difference of opinion between the king continue after Thapa's cabinet is formed?
By circumventing the political parties the king eliminated an opportunity to work together and make his peace. We are waiting to see if the cabinet that is formed will have executive powers. Thapa's cabinet will be defunct if it doesn't receive what it was promised.
