here's my take on Nepal's recent political developments From the beginning, I had felt that the reinstatement of parliament was a flawed demand. But the parties demanded less and even the Maoists more or less accepted it. In the Kantipur interview, Prachanda said: ‘सात दलसँग हामीले भनेका छौं- तपाईंहरू संसद् पुनःस्थापना चाहनुहुन्छ, हामी त्यसलाई समर्थन गर्न सक्छौं । सर्त के हो भने निरंकुशता लाद्न चाहने राजाबाट पुनःस्थापना प्रयास नगर्नुहोस्, सर्वोच्च अदालतमा पनि छाया परेको छ त्यता पनि नहेरौं । जनताको बीचमा आएर पुनःस्थापना गर्नोस्, हामी जनमुक्ति सेनालाई तुरुन्तै बदलिदिन तयार छौं ।‘ ‘तपाईंहरू संसद् पुनःस्थापना गर्नोस्, समर्थन गर्छौं, वार्तामा बोलाउनोस्, आउँछौं, सेना साझा बनाऔं, आधिकारिक र वैधानिक सरकार त्यो हुन्छ ।‘ - http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnepalinews.php?nid=64875 Maoists should have never accepted with the SPA to reinstate the parliament in the first hand. Their idea of reinstatement without the King’s approval was a better option indeed but they can’t complain the way they are doing now because they had agreed in principle on the SPA’s demand of House revival. Their latest series of statements are symptomatic of their political dishonesty. At least they have declared ceasefire now, but the truce must be strictly implemented. They can’t violate their own ceasefire in the way they did before, if their intentions are honest. SPA, on the other hand has also shown utter negligence at the very start of the new process. They should have at least informed the Maoists before accepting and welcoming the King’s announcement Monday. While they consulted Maoists and secured the rebels’ support for the movement till Monday, how could they not even inform them before jumping to celebrate their victory? The Maoists have valid reasons to regard this as a betrayal. The SPA was also immensely pressurized from the international community to make a compromise with the monarchy, while the threat of Maoists take-over was also highly exaggerated. So they took a chance when the King offered to back off. Reportedly, the King’s announcement on Monday was drafted by Subash Nembang, a point to be noted significantly. King couldn’t have been cowed more by the people. It was a scene to behold when he read the announcement on Monday. He finally realized that the people would demolish the walls of Narayanhiti and called the SPA for his rescue. SPA did a great favour to their nemesis by offering olive branch at a decisive moment. Instead of planning conspiracy against the political parties, Gyanendra should now be grateful for them. The sooner he forgets this generosity of the parties, the quicker the monarchy will end. SPA has proved to be the greatest friend of the dumb wannabe dictator. The royalists should be grateful for the SPA leaders;) Nepalese people were ready to knock down the monarchy. But they were at least satisfied with the outcome. Otherwise the movement would have continued. So let’s respect the people’s decision right now. People have given perfect lessons to the King, parties and the Maoists through this movement. They are no ignorant lots, as many elitists believe. While the King has been forced to give up his dream of authoritarian rule, the leaders have been taught the consequence of losing trust of the people and also the Maoists strategy has been thoroughly discarded. People can bear the excesses for a while but when time comes, they can defeat all the evils. They will always emerge as the winner in decisive fights. DON’T UNUNDERESTIMATE PEOPLE, NEVER. Now that something has been achieved, the job of true democrats is to keep watchful eyes at the political parties and the Maoists. Criticisms will be shifted towards those who are at the helm of power. And that will only force the parties not to repeat the mistakes of the past. If they do it again, they will be shown the exit door. Gyanendra’s fate will be decided by the constituent assembly. As for the Maoists, they have also realized their limitations. They have no options than to recognize the people’s quest for peace. Those who behave honestly will survive; those who try to deceive will suffer a shameful defeat in the hand of the Nepalese people. For a republican like me, it would have been great if Gyanendra had gone right away. This was a missed opportunity : But there is still an easier way out, with chances of less bloodshed, in the form of constituent assembly. People will decide and everybody has to agree the verdict, no matter what. For now, all democrats should focus on pressurizing the political parties not to make any mistake, whatsoever. They must bring an end to the Maoists violence at any cost. The loss of monarchy is very negligible, to the dismay of our royalist friends ;)