Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) 18 June split; dissident Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ faction formed new party, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist. Madhesi People’s Rights Forum-Democratic split 10 June following resignation of 10 members. Opposition protested PM Baburam Bhattarai’s call for November elections to new Constituent Assembly (CA), including in mass meeting. Reinstatement of CA being floated by various actors. Committee 15 June announced investigation into 31 May murder of Supreme Court judge.

Constituent Assembly (CA) dissolved after political parties 27 May failed to promulgate new constitution. PM Baburam Bhattarai announced new CA elections for 22 Nov; main opposition Nepali Congress denounced decision as unconstitutional; 30 May said intends to topple govt through protests. Supreme Court 24 May stayed govt and opposition proposal to extend CA’s term by 3 months, upholding Nov 2011 verdict offering 3 options: state of emergency, fresh elections, other agreed-upon alternative. Run- up to CA deadline saw shutdowns from identity-based groups, including 20-day strike in west. Some attacks on media in 20-22 May strike called by indigenous umbrella organisation rejecting 15 May deal between parties for not recognising ethnic identity, 52 arrested. 4 killed 1 May in Janakpur after IED attack by Madhesi armed group. Supreme Court judge under investigation for corruption shot dead 31 May, Kathmandu.

Special Committee for Supervision Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants 11 April handed command of cantonments holding 9,700 former Maoist combatants over to Nepalese Army; 14 April endorsed 7-point agreement outlining formation of integration selection committees, training period, bridge course and directorates. Second phase of combatant regrouping concluded 20 April: over 6,500 retired voluntarily, 3,100 to join Nepalese Army. Leaders from major parties continued negotiations on constitutional issues including forms of governance and state restructuring, increasing hopes for broad political agreement. Rift within Maoist party continued: anti-establishment faction led by Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ formed parallel structures, 24 April reestablished People’s Volunteer’s Bureau, meant to replicate Young Communist League and accommodate former fighters. Both federalists and anti-federalists organised several rallies and strikes across country to pressure major parties during negotiations. 4 killed, 18 wounded 30 April in bomb blast in Janakpur. Bombs planted by disillusioned Maoist cadres found, defused 4 April in buses, bus parks around Kathmandu.

Supreme Court 28 March refused to review Nov 2011 verdict disallowing further extension of Constituent Assembly term beyond current end on 27 May. Maoist and Nepali Congress leaders neared resolution on peace process and constitutional issues including integration of Maoist combatants into Nepal Army. Govt 10 March began closing 13 of 28 cantonments housing Maoist combatants. Leaders from major parties continued negotiations on state restructuring, form of govt. Rift within Maoist party widened: dissident faction argued that leadership of Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and PM Baburam Bhattarai has compromised core party goals; faction formed alliance with fringe parties and identity-based groups, called for timely delivery of constitution including identity-based federalism; Madhesi parties and identity-based groups threatened mobilisation if not incorporated. PM Baburam Bhattarai 23, 26 March sacked two Madhesi ministers for alleged malpractice and involvement in corruption.

Bomb exploded 27 Feb near govt office in Kathmandu killing at least 3; United Ethnic Liberation Front reportedly claimed responsibility. Govt 3 Feb began releasing, reintegrating 7,365 former Maoist fighters marking progress in peace process; 9 Feb acquiesced to opposition demands to scrap plans to legalise war-time land deals, ending parliamentary deadlock. Communications Minister and leader of Madeshi People’s Rights Forum party 21 Feb convicted of corruption sentenced to 18 months jail.

Opposition Nepali Congress 9 Jan accused ruling Maoists of attempting to establish dictatorship following demand for directly elected president vested with wide executive powers; Maoists warned guerrilla integration will halt if demands not met. Maoist hardline leader Mohan Vidya 8 Jan opposed guerrilla disarmament, integration into armed forces, govt plan to return property seized during civil war, accused party leadership of betraying principles; senior Maoist 29 Jan ruled out scrapping legalisation of civil-warera land transactions. Maoists 15 Jan set priorities as completing constitution and enduring dignified integration of Maoist combatants.

Opposition Nepali Congress Party (NC) 1 Dec rejected request by PM Bhattarai to allow additional 2,500 former Maoist fighters to integrate into army. 9 eastern districts closed by strikes mid-Dec as local council, ethnic groups demanded more rights, representation in constitution. 16 protestors detained in Kathmandu 19 Dec during second national strike over prison death of NC youth leader. FM Barshaman Pun 11 Dec said new constitution will be promulgated within 6 months following 29 Nov extension of Constituent Assembly.

Leaders of 4 main parties 1 Nov agreed to integrate one third of former Maoist rebels into army, give money to others, removing major stumbling block to constitution writing. Constituent Assembly term extended 29 Nov; state restructuring commission formed, though decisions expected to be politically motivated. Supreme Court 23 Nov opposed Cabinet recommendation for pardon for Maoist MP Bal Krishna Dhungel. 22 Nov bomb attack on Christian NGO United Mission to Nepal and 28 Nov bomb attempt on Kathmandu church by Hindu fundamentalist group sparked fears for security of religious minorities.

PM Baburam Bhattarai made 4-day state visit to India, representing significant thaw in Maoist-India relations. Despite criticisms of govt by opposition UML and some in Maoist party, negotiations on future of Maoist combatants continued between Bhattarai, Maoist chairman Prachanda and Nepali Congress.

New PM Bhattarai urged major opposition parties Nepali Congress (NC) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF)-Nepal to join govt; 16 Sept in first public address said nation has reached “last chance” for peace, called for political cooperation, 28 Sept threatened resignation if no progress. Self-imposed 45-day deadline to proceed on integration, rehabilitation of Maoist army combatants unlikely to be met; conflicts remain within all major parties. Section of United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M), NC and United Marxist Leninist Party criticised March power sharing deal between Madhesi and Maoist parties; Defence Minister Bhandari sparked row by allegedly warning that Tarai districts could secede if their concerns not addressed.