- Sunday, 5 April 2026
Kathmandu, April 5: The government has initiated a process to amend the constitution by forming a task force led by political advisor Asim Shah, under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
The task force will include members of parliament from various political parties. According to Minister for Education, Science and Technology and government spokesperson Sashmit Pokharel, any constitutional amendment will require consensus among all major political forces. He added that a discussion paper will be prepared through a process of national consultation.
However, as the task force began its work, concerns have emerged over which provisions of the constitution will be targeted for amendment. The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party had made constitutional reform a key agenda in its election manifesto ahead of the March 5 elections. Its proposals include a directly elected executive, restructuring of provincial governance, and the introduction of non-partisan local bodies.
Despite this, Prime Minister Shah recently held consultations with lawmakers from different parties but made no explicit mention of constitutional amendments. According to participants, his remarks focused more on governance reforms and improving public service delivery rather than structural constitutional changes.
Meanwhile, constitutional experts and political stakeholders have expressed concern over the government’s approach, describing it as insufficiently serious for such a sensitive issue. Critics argue that the process lacks strong legal expertise and adequate parliamentary representation.
Questions have also been raised about the leadership of the task force. Ashim Shah, who is not an elected member of parliament and has a background in filmmaking and documentary production, has come under scrutiny. A resurfaced social media post from five years ago, in which he wrote, “Come, King, save the country,” has further fueled debate over his suitability for the role.
Former Constituent Assembly member Khimlal Devkota expressed skepticism about whether the initiative would lead to actual amendments. He noted that while forming a task force may be a preliminary step, constitutional amendment is a complex process that requires broad political inclusion.
“If the goal is genuine representation, the task force must reflect participation from all major parties,” he said.
Constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya criticized the move, arguing that it goes against constitutional norms and values. “The government appears insensitive to constitutional ethics and is trying to divert attention from a serious issue,” he said.
Similarly, former minister and CPN-UML leader Pradip Gyawali stated that the government seems to be treating constitutional amendment too lightly. He emphasized that prior consultations with political parties should have taken place before forming such a task force.
Devkota also pointed out practical challenges, noting that immediate amendment is unlikely due to potential obstruction in the National Assembly and the need for approval from provincial governments.
Under Nepal’s constitutional framework, amendments require a two-thirds majority in both houses of the federal parliament, along with endorsement from provincial assemblies. Given that traditional parties hold significant influence in the National Assembly and provinces, and the ruling party lacks such dominance, the process remains challenging, at least until after upcoming local elections.
In contrast, constitutional scholar Bipin Adhikari welcomed the initiative, suggesting it could provide an opportunity to revisit broader questions of governance and national identity, including debates around the monarchy.
However, Devkota argued that the public mandate from the March 5 elections does not support constitutional overhaul. Instead, he said voters are primarily focused on good governance and corruption control.
“While certain provisions may be amended, the achievements made so far should not be undone,” he added. “Nearly 200 new laws are required to fully institutionalise the current constitutional structure, arguing that the public mandate is clearly focused on good governance rather than constitutional amendment.”
Despite acknowledging the need for reforms, many stakeholders remain uncertain about the effectiveness of the task force. Several constitutional scholars and political leaders believe that the body, led by Ashim Shah, lacks the qualifications necessary for meaningful deliberation.
Former Attorney General and former President of the Nepal Bar Association Raman Kumar Shrestha said traditional political parties appear reluctant to trust the task force.
“It is important to move forward with constitutional amendment, but the key issue is how much the task force can actually accomplish. Without the support of traditional parties, amendment will not be possible,” he said.
Similarly, constitutional scholar and former National Assembly member Radheshyam Adhikari emphasised the need for a dedicated advisory committee to guide the amendment process. Senior constitutional expert and former minister Nilambar Acharya also questioned the credibility of the task force, stating that it lacks the authority to generate serious national discourse on constitutional reform.
Although several political parties, including the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, have included constitutional amendment in their election manifestos, they have yet to clearly specify which provisions they intend to revise. Conflicting statements from party leaders on key issues—such as the provincial structure, local governance, and the executive system—have further added to the uncertainty.
The issue of constitutional amendment has long been central to Madhes-based political parties. During earlier political movements, these groups initially rejected the constitution and only withdrew their protests after assurances were made to amend it. As a result, constitutional reform has remained closely tied to their demands for political inclusion and rights.
During the tenure of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, negotiations with Madhes-based parties on constitutional amendment were a key priority. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has also held consultations with these parties while forming the current task force.
Although Madhes-based parties failed to secure national party status in the March 5 elections, their leaders are still expected to exert pressure on the government regarding constitutional reform. Shah himself, who has roots in Madhes, had appealed to voters during the campaign to ensure that a “son of Madhes” would lead the country.
That campaign narrative resonated strongly, particularly in Janakpur, contributing to the RSP’s emergence as the largest party with the highest number of popular votes in the current parliament. As a result, expectations among the Madhesi community for constitutional amendment have grown significantly under the new government.
