Seventeen years after the introduction of democracy, Nepal’s government is facing significant challenges. The actions of KP Sharma Oli have shaken the foundations of a system once believed to be the best for the country. Over the past 17 years, Nepal has seen 13 prime ministers, with none completing their full five-year term. This instability has become a recurring theme.
The constant change in leadership has led to ongoing instability. This year alone, Nepal has witnessed two major protests. In June 2025, a nationwide movement, including demonstrations in Kathmandu, called for the restoration of the monarchy. Three months later, Generation-Z initiated violent protests.
This situation has raised questions: Why is democracy failing in Nepal, a country with a predominantly Hindu population (82%)? Is a return to the Nehru model of governance the solution?
Understanding the Nehru Model
In 1950, when Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s Prime Minister, Nepal was experiencing intense political instability. Nehru intervened, which led to the end of the Rana regime. Tribhuvan Shah was then instated as king. In 1951, Nehru mediated discussions in New Delhi with Tribhuvan Shah and other leaders.
The mediation addressed the formation of an interim government and other crucial issues. A key aspect of the agreement was that the King would retain control over military and foreign affairs, while the Prime Minister would be elected to head the executive branch and report directly to the King, with the Prime Minister holding significant governing powers.
Matrika Prasad Koirala was appointed Prime Minister, but political instability prevented him from remaining in office for long. In 1955, Tribhuvan Shah passed away, and his son, King Mahendra Shah, succeeded him. Mahendra firmly implemented the rules established during his father’s reign.
Birendra P Mishra, Nepal’s former Election Commissioner, in his writings on Nehru and Nepal, highlights Nehru’s insistence that Nepal’s leaders seek India’s input on their relationships with China and the Soviet Union.
Nehru viewed Nepal as a crucial neighbor, sharing a 1751 km border with India. He emphasized that any instability in Nepal would directly affect India, and given the shared Hindu heritage and cultural ties, the two nations were intrinsically linked.
Relative Peace for Three Decades
After Tribhuvan Shah’s death, Mahendra and later Birendra Bikram Shah became kings. Mahendra subsequently overthrew BP Koirala’s government. Nehru, displeased, criticized the King of Nepal in India’s Rajya Sabha in 1960. During Nehru’s time, there were no major political upheavals or violent incidents.
Following Nehru’s tenure, Nepal saw minor political shifts until 1980, but generally maintained stability. However, the 1980s ushered in a period of turmoil. In 1989, large-scale protests arose over employment and economic issues. The King dismissed Prime Minister Marich Man Singh Shrestha in an attempt to quell the unrest, but the situation persisted.
In the early 1990s, certain political missteps by King Birendra Bikram Shah’s family strengthened the democratic movement. By 2005, the King decided to concede to the demands of the democracy advocates, and an agreement was reached in 2006. Despite these efforts, Nepal continues to grapple with instability.