Nepal’s Constitution Review Push Reaches Two Former Presidents as Reform Task Force Broadens Consultation

A task force preparing Nepal’s constitutional amendment discussion paper has stepped up its outreach by meeting separately with former presidents Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Bidhya Devi Bhandari. The consultations, led by Asim Shah, political advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, are designed to collect views on national interest, inclusivity, and practical reforms before any formal amendment agenda takes shape.

The meetings underline how seriously the current push is treating the constitution review process. Rather than rushing toward a single political proposal, the team is seeking broad guidance from figures who have occupied the country’s highest office and can speak to both the spirit and the limits of the 2015 Constitution.

A consultation-first approach

The task force is working on a discussion paper that will outline possible constitutional revisions. According to the reported briefings, the effort is not just about identifying clauses for change, but about understanding how amendments can make the constitution more workable, more inclusive, and better aligned with national priorities.

That approach matters in Nepal, where constitutional amendment has often been politically sensitive and closely tied to questions of federalism, representation, governance structure, and balance of power. The latest consultations suggest an attempt to frame the process as a national dialogue rather than a narrow partisan exercise.

What the former presidents emphasized

Both former presidents reportedly stressed the importance of national consensus, inclusion, and systemic improvement. Their advice reflects a common theme in Nepal’s constitutional debates: changes must strengthen the state without weakening the agreements that made the post-2015 order possible.

The focus on inclusivity is especially significant because Nepal’s constitution already contains strong provisions on representation, social justice, and the protection of marginalized communities. Any amendment process that ignores those foundations risks reopening long-standing political tensions instead of resolving them.

Why this review is politically important

Nepal’s constitution permits amendment, but it also protects core principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and the sovereignty vested in the people. That means any reform effort has both legal and political boundaries, and the discussion paper now being prepared will likely need to navigate both carefully.

The current debate is widely seen as part of a larger conversation about whether the country’s system can be made more stable and effective. Issues such as governance, representation, and institutional performance are likely to shape the eventual recommendations, even if the final scope remains unclear.

What happens next

The task force’s next step will be to consolidate the suggestions it has gathered into a formal discussion paper. If the process continues to widen its consultation base, the amendment debate could become one of the most consequential policy discussions of the year, with implications for how Nepal balances reform, inclusion, and political stability.

For now, the key signal is clear: the constitutional review effort is being built around consultation and consensus, not confrontation.