It is amazing how much badmouthing "democracy" is getting in this thread. I would guess most of those doing the badmouthing are in America, and America is what it is because it is the world's oldest democracy. Many Nepalis have gone thorugh hell and high water to come to America. What for? If you so love autocracy, now might be your chance: go to Nepal! I would be the first to criticize the ineptitude of the leaders during the 1990s. And to decry the corrutpion. But just look at two things: (1) The royal budget got doubled after Deuba was sacked. Is that not brahmaloot? Is that not corrution? Misuse of taxpayers' money? Which Congress leader was corrupt at such a large scale? (2) Nepal saw more development work during the 10 years of multi party democracy than during the 30 years of Panchayat. It worked, damnit! People raise two issues when they try to discredit the democratic experiment in Nepal. (1) The cacophony of democracy. Leaders supposedly fighting amongst themselves. Response: Democracy, by definition, is a cacophony. It is no symphony. It is through such dialectics that progress is made. Raging debates are a good thing. (2) Leaders getting accused of being power-hungry. Of wanting to become Prime Minister. Response: Heck, that is a good thing! It is a good thing Bill Gates wants to be rich. We all end up with Windows. It is a good thing Bill Clinton works over a lifetime to become president. Similary it is a good thing if Girija and Deuba and MaKuNe compete to become Prime Minister. The country benefits from the competition. King G's speech. It reads as follows: (1) My ancestor Prithvi created Nepal so this country is my family property. (2) But this is the 21st century so I guess I will allow some democracy. Times have changed. (3) Democracy is fine, but we could not get a single good leader duing the 1990s. Good system, bad players. (4) I sacked Deuba twice, giving him less than a year each time to hold elecitons. He is inept. I will give myself three years to do the same. (5) Yo Prachande le nihu nai khojya ho ta? La ta au aba direct guff garam. When was the last time a country, any country on the planet got similary blacked out? No phone, no internet, no nothing. This is primitive. The Constituent Assembly idea is the only meeting point for the three forces in the country. On that more here: - http://www.sajha.com/sajha/html/OpenThread.cfm?forum=2&ThreadID=18493 (2) Agree to the Constituent Assembly talk, but only if the Maoists disarm. To that the Maoists will say, no, instead we want to merge into the Nepali Army. Deuba says, fine, but all of your cadres will have to apply individually. Like new recruits. And all those who pass the "entrance" requirements will be taken in at the level of their qualification, but not en masse, not in "Maoist battalions." (3) Then hold elections. The new elected body drafts a new constitution that is put to a referendum. If the referendum accepts the constitution, the elected body stays on as parliament. Or new elections are held. Two elections will be cheaper than the ongoing civil war and paralysis. (4) There is a strong possibility the monarchy might come back. The people might decide to keep it. Most important the Maoists will be disarmed. The Maoists are the weaker party. But it would be a bad idea to try to rub their nose in the dust. Better to help them save face. True, they are theoretically Maoists. 70 years back they would have been Stalinists. But then 20 years back the UML were communists. 30 years back Koirala hijacked a plane. 70 years back the Shahas did what the Ranas asked them to do. The Maoists are a protest movement. They are not communists in the old fashioned way. Most of their grievances have been Janajati grievances. That is more ethnic than industrial labor stuff.