The disarray among political parties since the sacking of the Deuba government on 4 October 2002 seems to be coming to an end.  A new phase of collective proactive action in support of reintroducing democracy seems to be developing since 2 April 2004. For the first time five major political parties have joined hands against the King and released a sixteen-point agenda of their demands. Even though political parties remain faction-ridden and suspect each other, they seem to be making a tentative attempt to come together.

The interim government led by Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, nominated by the King, has set out to hold elections in Nepal by April 2005. The Government is confident of holding general elections after successfully conducting student’s elections in February 2004. These peaceful elections have provided confidence to the Government that, with the help of security forces, general elections can indeed be held. However, the five political parties are united in not accepting the government’s proposal and they assess the situation in the country to be unstable and not suitable for their cadres to visit their constituencies. Instead, they are demanding the dismissal of the Thapa government and formation of an all-party government.

The Government’s refusal brought about protests on the streets of Kathmandu. The presence of party leaders in these demonstrations enthused the cadres and the student’s wings of the parties to pressurize the monarchy for allowing multi-party democracy. Journalists, lawyers and human rights activists have also extended support to the agitation. However, the agitation has not been able to excite the masses. There are more onlookers on the pavements than followers of party leaders.  Possibly, people are assessing the strength of the political leaders, as they have been unable to project themselves as an alternative to the monarchy and the Maoists. It is yet to be seen what strategies the parties will adopt to bring the people from the footpath to the road. The distance may be one step away but remains far.

Maoists, the other strong force that brought violence and terror in Nepali politics, are not on the roads protesting but their presence and pressure is felt during bandhs throughout Nepal. Since February 2004, Maoists have called numerous bandhs to show their strength. But the strategy has limited utility because instead of getting mass support for a people’s war, it only causes inconvenience to the general public. On several occasions people have defied bandhs and have gone for work either on two wheelers or on foot. It must be mentioned that during bandhs tourists and the cabs belonging to hotels are not targeted. However, businesses, small shopkeepers, office goers and students are affected. The other strategy adopted by the Maoists is to blast bombs or attack influential people, government offices or security personnel. These strategies can spread fear but do not lead to popular support for the Maoists.

Normal life is affected in Nepal by both forces of agitation: the political parties and the Maoists. Though both have targeted the monarchy, they are also against each other. The parties blame the Maoists for bringing forth violence and terror, while the latter criticize the parties for their misrule, corruption and nepotism. In their own characteristic ways, they have the support of their respective cadres, supporters and sympathizers but have not been able to gather wider popular support. The movement is presently a political movement and needs to be translated into a people’s movement. The agitation and protest movement will have a limited outreach till the rationale and objective of the movement is made clear to the people.

Interestingly, demonstrations by political parties in Kathmandu have coincided with the King’s visits to various parts of Nepal. Simultaneously, violence by the Maoists has increased as they have tried to fill those spaces created after the security forces moved for King’s security. The Government has deployed unified command, police and the army to contain the agitators. Fearing Maoist infiltration in the rallies, agitations have been banned and night curfew imposed in certain parts of Kathmandu, from 9 April onwards. Political parties have unanimously defied the ban order and a few prominent leaders were arrested. Even if the government’s step is towards restoring peace and stability in the country, force and coercion can only bring more chaos. The inability of the government to bring the parties and the Maoists to the negotiating table will further increase political instability in the country.

All the three forces have created their own constituencies in the country. However, strategies to preserve their own interests through bandhs, rallies or deployment of security forces harass the common folk. It will be beneficial for the country to resolve the crisis amicably through political dialogue. Until then, the people will continue to suffer.