Describe the second popular movement for democracy of Nepal.
King Gyanendra of Nepal was not prepared to accept democracy rule. In February 2005, the king dissolved Parliament. The movement was started to regain control over the government from the king:
- All the major political parties in the parliament formed Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and called for a four day strike in Kathmandu.
- The protest soon turned into an indefinite strike.
- In this strike, Maoist insurgents and various other organisations joined hands.
- People defied curfew and took to the streets.
- More than a lakh people gathered almost everyday to demand restoration of democracy.
- Protesters in large numbers reached to the king and served an ultimatum.
- The king gave half hearted concession but the leaders rejected.
- They struck to their demands for restoration of parliament, power to all party government
and a new constituent assembly. - On 24th April 2006, the last day of the ultimatum, the king was forced to concede all the three demands.