Amid an effort by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to form a stable government to push ahead with the landmark peace process,the country on Friday marked its first Republic Day after the abolition of the unpopular 240-year-old monarchy last year. President Ram Baran Yadav asked the people to strengthen democracy and seek consensus over critical issues facing the nation. "Though the right to disagree in a democracy is a fundamental ingredient,it will flourish only when we seek consensus amid disagreements," Yadav said in his message to the nation. The weeks-long political crisis in the country ended when Nepal was sworn in as the Prime Minister on May 25. He replaced Prachanda who resigned as the premier on May 4 after dispute with President Yadav on the issue of sacking of army chief Gen Rukmangad Katawal. In an apparent reference to the constitutional crisis after the resignation of Prachanda,the President said that "civilian supremacy" can be established only when the fundamentals of democracy such as rule of law,press freedom,judicial independence,freedom of expression and human rights are reflected in the activities and behaviour of the government. A special function was organised at Tundikhel Army Pavilion where the country's top leaders,including the President,Prime Minister,diplomats and other dignitaries took part. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of a grand 'Republic Monument' at Ratnapark in the heart of the capital to mark the occasion. Nepal's 601-member Constituent Assembly,which had declared the country a federal democratic republic last year in its very first meeting,is tasked to frame a new constitution after the abolition of the monarchy. However,it has been struggling to build a consensus on the constitution and landmark peace process that ended the decade-long insurgency in the country. All government offices and private buildings were illuminated with colourful lights to mark the first anniversary of the republic.
