Click to play videoKathmandu: People in Nepal celebrating the birth of a Republic. The former Hindu kingdom is now a secular state.
Their newly elected constituent Assembly voted unanimously on Wednesday, ending 239 years of monarchy.
Caretaker Prime Minister G P Koirala will be the Republic's first President and Maoist chief Prachanda the Prime Minister.
But on this historic day, the Assembly meeting was put off thrice. Nepal's squabbling politicians failed to reach a consensus on key issues.
For instance, what would be the powers and role of the president, who would be commander in chief of the army, and who are the lucky 26 who would be nominated to the constituent Assembly.
In coming weeks, Prachanda may find it difficult to keep the Maoists together. Upset at the acceptance of a ceremonial president, Senior Maoist Mohan Baidya boycotted the swearing in ceremony.
But finally, 560 lawmakers supported the resolution to abolish the monarchy, with only 4 against.
Constituent Assembly Chairman Kul Bahadur Gurung said, “This meeting of the constituent assembly directs the government to remove the present King and his personal secretariat from the Narayanhiti Royal Palace within 15 days.”
In coming days, the harsh realities of power and politics may take hold. But for now, it's celebration time in the young republic.
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