Negotiation: A compromise for losing parties When I was in the US, what I used to read/hear from some people interested in Nepali politics that Maoists are gradually losing grounds or popularity. Now, looking at things from this Kingdom I tend to disagree with that concept of Maoists losing gains. In fact, if I have to express my personal opinion on Maoists control, I would say the only place Maoists are not controlling is the Singhdurbar. Maoists certainly have significant pressure on Singhadurbar that is why we hear the word negotiation more from the singhdurbar or the partners there than from the Maoists. Maoists have exercised undeclared rule all over the kingdom, perhaps arguably dictated by fear than popularity. People have little confidence on the government forces to defeat Maoists. Common people have nothing to rely on except for the fate or themselves. Negotiation is a compromise for losing parties not for the winning ones. I see the confidence of Maoists is increasing everyday not declining. So, at this point without major concession from the people in Narayanhiti cum Singhdurbar, hope of negotiation is nothing but just a poor hope. Although the long term solution to this Maoists issue is the radical uplifting of socio-economic structure not political but the temporary solution rests on political address. Sooner the people who claim to be leaders realize this the better.