The deadlock in Nepal is continuing. The King of Nepal made an appeal to the political leaders for a dialogue. He sounded very conciliatory in inviting the political parties to fully activate the democratic process in the larger interest of the nation. The agitating political parties did not even discuss the King'soffer and rejected outright any dialogue with the King. The Maoists threatened public trial of those supporting the monarchy and to execute the King or send him into exile.
The King'sappeal on the 56th anniversary of democracy day (19th February, 2006) for cooperation and dialogue fell on deaf ears. It was only Shri Surya Bahadur Thapa, who urged both the King and the political parties to reconcile their differences on the basis of the 1950 and 1990 understanding.
Nepal has urged the Indian Government for resumption of military supplies, which have been suspended since the royal move of February 1, last year. There have been some requests from Nepal Government for resumption of military supplies. The issue of military supplies to Nepal remains under constant review of the Government. The Lok Sabha was informed by Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. E. Ahmed on February 2.
He further said that India had dispatched some non-lethal supplies to Nepal that were in the pipeline after the lifting of emergency in April, 2005 and release of political leaders and activists. The Minister added that as a close and friendly neighbour of Nepal, India wishes to see an early return of peace, stability and development in that country. The Indian Government was aware that Nepal had received certain quantities of arms supplies from other countries including China and Pakistan.
Despite the King'sappeal for a dialogue?under international pressure?the political parties has not provided a break-through. The November agreement of seven parties with the Maoists has created a difficult situation and monarchy was not prepared to have a dialogue with parties, which entered into an agreement with the Maoists.
The American Ambassador in Nepal, Mr. James Moriaty, delivered a speech in Kathmandu on February 15, criticising the agreement between the political parties and the Maoists and advised the political parties not to join hands against the Palace.
The political parties had been demanding restoration of the dissolved Parliament. 90 per cent of the members belonged to the main political parties. The Maoists are not pressing this demand for the restoration of the Parliament because they do not have any representation in the dissolved House. The King could refer the matter to the Supreme Court for its view. If the decision of the Supreme Court goes in favour of restoration of Parliament, it could break the deadlock and the Maoists could be isolated from the main political parties. A new all-party government could be constituted by the restored Parliament that could undertake the election for a fresh Parliament.
