Tha parties (including NC) have the most to lose, whether or not an alliance with the Maoists is on the cards. If something even close to an "understanding" develops, the parties have to accept Maoist leadership. They also lose by siding with the "terrorists", thus making them a "shoot-at-sight" enemy of the current regime. On the other hand, the parties have a lot of lose without forming this alliance also. But, I doubt that something resembling an alliance will materialize. Time may fast be running out.