Despite continuous conflict between the constitutional forces – the King and the political parties - it seems that there are still good possibilities for Nepal to become a peaceful country again. If the violent insurgency winds up, it will not be too difficult to begin the constitutional process. As the statements given by the leaders of major political parties indicate that the country is heading towards political confrontation, one should note that the country has the capability to cope with peaceful nature of constitutional struggle. The King and the organized political parties claim that they want to restore multi-party democracy but those are still limited in words and utterances rather than in deeds. In fact, people of Nepal may have to wait for a long time before the constitutional process begins again. Parties may hold big rallies and demonstrations but people’s right to vote and choose their representatives, an inherent right of people, will not be there. Everyone in the street or in group discussion give a consensus opinion that the present deadlock of forces abiding by the present constitution is the first and foremost problems of the country. But nobody has ever made real efforts to bring them together. When Nepal’s western friends tried, there were all out criticisms from all fronts. Of course, there are genuine grievances against the King and the Palace establishment as the sources of the problems - which led to this political deadlock. There is an equally logical allegation against the deeds and misdeeds of the prominent leaders. The King or other influential coteries or ministers or decisions makers may have individual likes or dislikes about one or other political parties but what the majority of Nepalese prefer is to see the reconciliation between the legitimate political forces – the monarchy and the established political parties - both of whom are compatible with each other. In the last five decades of political modernization, it has been proved that the monarchy and democracy are compatible forces. As the King has already announced the elections, it should be taken as an opportunity to go to the people to project unhindered political views. So far as the free and fairness of the elections is concerned, conscientious people are there to judge whether the election was fair or foul. Even if the party loses the elections, it has been sometimes seen to have heightened their stature. Likewise, since the election is going to be held in municipal areas, political parties have the opportunities to test the fairness of Royal regime. If they contest it, a rapport and dialogue for further events for popular decision-making could be expanded. Unfortunately, political leaders have deviated from their own political issues by the widely anarchic populist politics instigated by broadsheet dailies.

Two high-level visits from Nepal’s two neighbors in the last one week again showed geo-strategic importance of Nepal to both of our neighbors. Chief of the government Tibet Autonomous Region of China Chamba Phuntsok, during his visit to Nepal, highlighted that Nepal could reap benefits from the rapid development taking place in Tibet. India’s foreign secretary Shyam Saran’s written press statement delivered after his visit to Nepal also clearly indicated the peace in Nepal is India’s priority. In his written statement, Saran said that the restoration of peace and stability and economic recovery in Nepal is not only in the interest of Nepal but also in the interest of India. He also expressed India’s readiness to support all efforts aimed at brining about peaceful resolution to the problems confronting Nepal. This shows India is more concerned on restoration of peace than anything else.