1. On the occasion of 57th Democracy Day, King, in his message to the nation, said that he was compelled to take the February 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration. King said "We are also morally responsible for any success or failure during the fifteen months of efforts". King had reinstated House of Representative on April 24, 2006 with the confidence that the nation would forge ahead on the path of national unity and prosperity while ensuring permanent peace and safeguarding multi-party democracy. If the King had not facilitated the transition and appointed the prime minister the political vacuum would have insured a blood bath. Yet, the anti monarchy parties did not seem to realize the advantage of such a transition.

2 SPA and Maoists have been claiming that majority of people are in favour of republic. At some point, they say that the Republic be declared through Interim Legislature before Constituent Assembly elections. Annapurna Post has recently conducted a national wide poll, the result of which depicts the different picture. According to polls result, 41 percent of people considered King as symbol of national unity, 39 percent did not, while 20 percent said they did not know. As to continuity of Institution of Monarchy, 49 percent wanted institution of monarchy to continue, whereas only 44 percent did not want continuation, while 7 percent said they did not know. Yet, the comedy is, the political parties have displayed their ignorance what the majority of people of Nepal want.

3. The country is beset with multiple problems. The agitation of ethnic federation, the Terai uprising, scarcity of petroleum and other essential commodities, load shedding, vacancies not being filled in educational institutions and corporations etc., but all, the SPAM government can do is rave about King's message. This shows the lack of responsibility of the present government towards the people. Perhaps, they are diverting the attention of the people from their incapacity by raving about the King's message.

4. SPAM task force formed to settle differences over electoral system, ballot papers and temporary voters couldn't reach consensus. The parties are divided on all three issues. SPA, barring Maoists, refused to use temporary voters' list in the elections. They claimed election result
- 2 –

could be completely influenced because of temporary migrants. The decision makers (SPAM) who cannot decide have taken responsibility of making a new Nepal! Perhaps, they think dissension will create a consensual Nepal. That would be the day.

5. Maoists combatants announced on Tuesday that they would walk out from Shaktikhor cantonment in Chitwan to earn their living claiming that they have run out of money (taxpayers) provided by the government.

6. Though there are many different voices coming from Terai, the government thinks addressing the voice of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum only will solve the problem.

In the meantime, Maoists are continuing atrocities as before. Still they want people to believe that peace has been finally restored in Nepal, as if they can fool the people. 

-- In Kathmandu, Members of Maoist affiliated All Nepal Transportations Workers Union abducted seven members of Independent Transport Workers Union and reportedly tortured them on February 15.

-- A group of Maoists from PLA beat up 60 year old Tom Lal Bhusal of Saudiyar VDC of Dang on February 18.

-- Maoists are still continuing labor camps in Pyuthan. Over a dozen people continue to be detained there.

-- Hundreds of Maoist cadres  burnt down house of Nani Bahadur Kari and kidnapped three of his family members including him from Jorpati in Capital on February 18.

-- Maoist cadres beat up Chedi Churihar, of Hukli VDC of Nawalparasi district, critically injuring him and also threatened to kill him.

(Note from the Nepal Horizons Editorial Team: The views and opinion expressed in this article are that of the author and not of NHC. We request individuals with interest in Nepal to submit their views on contemporary Nepalese issues to the following e-mail address: editor@nepalhorizons.com.  Pictures of contributors or images that relate to submissions are welcome)