The run away lead taken by the Maoists in the historical elections to the constituent assembly has generated a situation wherein the country seems to be entangled in a more complicated political stalemate. Despite the fact that they emerged as the largest party, the rigid interim constitution is posing too many road blocs in the path of the Maoists dream of leading the government, even a coalition. In a democratic set up there should be no hesitation whatsoever in inviting the largest party to form the government. But the Seven Party Alliance that has been ruling the country after the April revolution of 2006 seems to be in a fix. Apart from other invisible reasons, the constitution the Maoist dominated to enact is now proving to be a serious bottleneck for the Maoists themselves to arrive at their cherished destination. Moreover, the continuous hectic drama that is being rehearsed in the Nepali capital by the powers that direct the destines of the smaller, poorer and weaker nations has yet to come to its denouement. The humiliating defeats of the self-proclaimed titans of Nepali politics at the hands of young nondescripts have thrown the Nepali politics into total doldrums. The established leaderships are being challenged by the underdogs and the bigger political parties are in complete disarray. Even in the biggest party, the CPN-(Maoists), there seems to be a conspicuous absence of unanimity or consensus in the top leadership. The activities of the Y.C.L and other cadres have clearly exposed failure of the party high command to maintain discipline and control over the lower echelons. Even the soaring ambition of the Maoists supremo seems to be contributing to widen the gulf between him and his lieutenants. As such, Nepal’s political firmament, at the moment, looks to be enveloped in the darkest clouds. But as long there is a silver lining there should be no cause for despair. And, indeed, Nepal’s good neighbor and traditional friend, India, is that silver lining. Ever since her deliverance from the colonial yoke she has always played a dominant role in guiding the Nepali politicians and statesmen. As a matter of fact every section of Nepali society, whether the politicians, the statesmen, the bureaucrats, the media, the civil society or even the intelligentsia, has greatly benefited from the large hearted and liberal munificence of the Indian government and consequently, not only feel ingratiated but also indebted to safeguard her interests. If the millions of poor Nepalis have been left out and Nepal is still considered the poorest in the region and one of the poorest countries in the world, it must be because it is so ordained. The intimate family ties between the people of Nepal and India, the India-locked status of Nepal, the open international border and various other commonalities have knit both the countries into that kind of special relationship rarely found between two independent nations. The overwhelming influence exercised by India in Nepal’s political and economic affairs have induced even the world powers to completely tow India’s line in their relations with Nepal. The Indian envoy and even the smaller diplomats are held in such exceptionally high esteem by the Nepali politicians, statesmen, civil servants, business community and highly educated Nepalis that the Indian diplomats consider Nepal posting as a stroke of good fortune reserved only for the chosen persons. No body need go far to substantiate this. The Ambassador-designate of India, Rakesh Sood, has wasted no time in cementing the special relationship. His meeting the Acting Head of State and prime minister before his accreditation has proved beyond a ray of doubt that the formality of presenting credentials by the Indian envoys in Nepal has now become a redundancy that should be abolished, without any ado, so that the Indian envoys may start their good work immediately they step into Nepali soil. Since the Indian envoys have been rendering invaluable service to the Nepali statesmen in the form of wise counsels, Sood’s enthusiasm is very well appreciated by the Nepali establishment. Since India has been helping Nepal solve her knotty political problems, the Nepalis are impatiently waiting for Sood to get into more hectic action so that the imbroglio facing Nepali politicians and statesmen is dissolved at the earliest paving the way for poor Nepalis to take big strides towards making a New Nepal. While welcoming Rakesh Sood as their new benefactor the poor Nepalis are breathlessly waiting for him to act to diffuse the political haze enveloping Nepal.

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