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Politics of Rajyaghar
Charsidhan.png
National Emblem of Rajyaghar
Polity typeFederal parliamentary
constitutional monarchy
ConstitutionSupreme Constitution
Legislative branch
NameShahee Sansad
TypeBicameral
Meeting placeSansad Bhavan
Upper house
NameCouncil of States
Presiding officerXX,, Adyaksh
Lower house
NameHouse of Representatives
Presiding officerDevki Modhwadia,, Speaker
Executive branch
Head of State
TitleMonarch
CurrentlyKrishan VII
AppointerHereditary
Head of Government
TitlePremier
CurrentlyMadhava Thakur
AppointerMonarch
Cabinet
NameAshta Pradhan
Current cabinetThird Thakur Ministry
LeaderPremier
AppointerMonarch
Judicial branch
NameJudiciary
Supreme Court
Chief judgeVishnu Kapadia
SeatNyaayik Mahal

The Politics of Rajyaghar works within the framework of the country's Constitution. Rajyaghar is a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a federal union in which the monarch of Rajyaghar is the head of state and the Premier of Rajyaghar is the head of government. The Constitution defines the institutional powers and limitations of both the Central Union Government and state governments; with it establishing a strong central authority, the federal government, at the centre with the states at the periphery. The Constitution is the supreme law with other conforming to its limitations.

Executive power is exercised by the Central Union Government, presided over by the Premier (Pradhānamantri) and Cabinet of Rajyaghar (Ashta Pradhan). The Premier and Cabinet are appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the legislature. Legislative power is vested in both the executive and the federal bicameral legislature (Shahee Sansad); consisting of an upper-un-elected chamber (Council of States) and lower-elected chamber (House of Representatives). Judicial power is exercised by members of the judiciary who are nominated by the executive, either federal or state, on the recommendation of the Independent Judicial Appointments Commission (IJAC). As a federal nation, some executive, legislative and judicial authority is delegated by the Constitution to state governments, legislatures and judiciaries.

Rajyaghar has a multi-party system, with three large national parties, and several other smaller regional political parties. Since the 1990s, no single party has held an absolute majority in the Shahee Sansad due to the electoral process and so political parties tend to opt for co-operation in order to form coalition governments and address issues. This has resulted in coalition governments becoming the norm with the formation of two major political alliances; National Progressive Alliance (left wing) and United Conservative Coalition (right wing). These alliances have resulted in coalitions that rarely span the political spectrum, resulting in divisions between the left and right political parties.

Since independence, Rajyani politics has been a class dividing affair with the upper classes often leading the political parties. Possible reasons for this could be the influence of clan, patriarchal and matriarchal leaders in Rajyani society, centralised power structures within political parties and economic demands of political parties in their operations and campaigns. Rajyaghar is generally regarded as a "flawed" or "southern democracy" due to this and the influence of unelected institutions such as the upper house of the federal parliament, military and Rajakumars.

Monarchy

The Rajyani Monarch, Maharaja Krishan VII has ruled as the head of staate of Rajyaghar since 10th April 1984. In accordance with the Rajyani Supreme Constitution, the monarch is the head of state and thus the source of all power and authority within the Rajyani realm. However, this power is delegated, via the Constitution and Acts of Parliament, to the Central Union Government, Shahee Sansad, Supreme Court and State administrations.

The Constitution outlines the specific powers delegated to the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the Rajyani Government, with all other powers being retained by the Monarch with them being exercised through the royal prerogative. However, since the late 1970s, many of these powers are exercised by the Monarch on the advice of the Government.

Today, the monarch's role is largely ceremonial with their authority mainly being exercised through influencing the Government and public opinion. Official duties and powers are exercised in accordance with the conventions of parliamentary democracy and seperation of powers. However, the Monarch continues to exercise the rights to be consulted, to advise and to warn. As a result, the Monarch holds weekly audiences with the Premier, hosts monthly meetings of the Ashta Pradhan, Military High Command and Shahee Sansad leadership, bimonthly meetings with the Consular Senate and bi-annual meetings of the Supreme Court.

According to the principles of constitutional monarchy, the monarch's role is largely ceremonial today, restricted in his or her exercise of power by the convention of parliamentary democracy and the separation of powers. However, the monarch does continue to exercise three rights: the right to be consulted; the right to advise; and the right to warn. Pursuant to these ideals, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet attend the regular meeting of the Council of State.

The Monarch and wider royal family still retain considerable influence across Rajyaghar. Culturally, the Monarch is the head of one of the largest clans in Rajyaghar and their actions are widely followed by the population. The Monarch and royal family also play a significant role in religion in Rajyaghar with the Monarch being the Lord Protector of Bishnupur, one of the holiest sites in the Ashram faith, and the Monarch also appoints, at their discretion, the Panditrao (High Priest) of Bishnupur, one of the pre-eminent leaders in the Ashram faith. The Monarch is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Rajyaghar, with military personnel swearing oaths of allegiance to the Monarch and not to the Constitution. Whilst day-to-day administration of the armed forces is admdinistered by the civilian central union government, the Monarch has a significant role in overseas deployments and wider military policy. All senior members of the royal family have, and are expected to, complete officer training within one of the branches of the military and perform several years of military service.

Maharaja Krishan VII presenting Devki Modhwadia with the Speaker's Seal of Office

The following powers are explicitly reserved for the Monarch in the Constitution:

  • The power to dismiss and appoint a Premier and other Ministers
  • The power to dismiss and appoint the High Priest of Bishnupur
  • The power to legislate through Royal Decrees
  • The power to summon and prorogue the Shahee Sansad
  • The power to grant or refuse Royal Assent to bills (making them valid and law)
  • The power to commission officers in the Armed Forces
  • The power to command the Armed Forces of Rajyaghar
  • The power to appoint members to the Judiciary
  • The power to issue and withdraw passports
  • The power to grant prerogative of mercy (pardons)
  • The power to grant honours
  • The power to create corporations via Royal Charter
  • The power to ratify and make treaties
  • The power to declare war and peace
  • The power to recognise states
  • The power to credit and receive diplomats

Executive

One of the two Central Union Government ministerial buildings located on the Mall

The Constitution states that all power, including that given to the Constitution, is derived from the Monarch, Krishan VII. Executive power is delegated from the Monarch to the Central Union Government (federal executive) and the Union State and Federal Territory administrations.

The Central Union Government performs the executive functions of the realm at the federal level. The affairs of government are decided by the Ashta Pradhan (Cabinet), headed by the Premier. The Ashta Pradhan and Premier are accountable to both the Shahee Sansad (Parliament) and Monarch with actions of the Central Union Government being authorised by either the Monarch or Parliament through Royal Prerogatives or Acts of Parliament respectively.

Members of the Ashta Pradhan are given the title of "Secretary of State" and each hold a different portfolio of government duties. The day to day role of Secretaries of State are to serve as head of one or more ministries, departments or secretariats within the Central Union Government. As they must be accountable to the Shahee Sansad, Secretaries of State must be members of the House of Representatives and the Government must always be able to maintain the confidence of the Shahee Sansad.

Head of government

Maharaja Krishan VII and the Premier at a weekly audience

Cabinet Government

Legislature

Relations between Chambers

Political Parties and Alliances

Judicial system

Supreme Court

State Government

Union States

Federal Territories

National Regions