Parties gear up in Nepal
Kathmandu: Tens of thousands of people turn up to warn the parties against betrayal as parliament is all set to reconvene. And in another major softening of their stance, the … Continue reading
Nepal army chief helped convince Gyanendra
Kathmandu: What made King Gyanendra blink on Monday night? A combination of people power and pressure from the Royal Nepal Army. As the crowds in Kathmandu surged, the RNA chief … Continue reading
Maoists soften stance in Nepal
Kathmandu: The Maoists have lifted their blockade on capital and district headquarters and also declared a ceasefire. But they have also warned the Seven Party Alliance against delaying the decision … Continue reading
And now for a Constituent Assembly
Empowered through battle, a victorious people savour their moment. 26 April 2006The Hindu Now for a Constituent AssemblyEmpowered through battle, a victorious people savour their momentSiddharth Varadarajan WHAT NEPAL has … Continue reading
Nepal Maoists want "unconditional" elections
Kathmandu: They denounce the King’s revival of Parliament; SPA accused of betraying the people’s movement by walking into the monarchy’s trap. 26 AprilThe Hindu Nepal Maoists want “unconditional” elections Siddharth … Continue reading
Nepal parties want constituent assembly
SPA plumps for Koirala. But even as there’s celebration on the streets, people tell leaders to “beware”. 26 April 2006The Hindu Nepal parties want constituent assembly Siddharth Varadarajan KATHMANDU: Following … Continue reading
Dateline Kathmandu: Gyanendra blinks, announces revival of parliament
With the democratic opposition’s promised million-person march on the Nepalese capital less than 12 hours away, King Gyanendra has finally stepped back from the brink. The question now is how … Continue reading
Dateline Kathmandu: In Nepal, novel forms of protest and familiar ones too
From a peoples’ referendum to clashes with the police and even talk of petrol bombs, Nepal today is seething with anger. 25 April 2006The Hindu In Nepal, novel forms of … Continue reading
People, parties spurn Gyanendra’s offer
Kathmandu: As surging crowds enter downtown Kathmandu for the first time since the current wave of protests began, India has officially put itself out of step with the pro-democracy forces. … Continue reading
In Nepal, only the beginning of the end
People power has forced Gyanendra to cede executive power. But only a democratically elected Constituent Assembly can bring the people true power. Revolutions done in half-measure inevitably fail. The parties … Continue reading
Review: More at stake than the monarchy
With the partnership between Nepal’s parliamentary parties and Maoists having brought the Himalayan kingdom to a historic turning point, the reconfiguration of Nepalese politics, social relations and foreign policy is … Continue reading
The countdown in Kathmandu has begun
The anti-monarchy protests planned for April 6-9 will be the first test of strength for the new partnership between Nepal’s Maoists and parliamentary parties. The King says the joint action … Continue reading
Another blow for popular sovereignty in Nepal
On March 19, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the seven party pro-democracy alliance released two separate but identically worded statements. Titled the ‘Second Understanding between the Seven Party … Continue reading
Crucial deal in Nepal hits roadblock
Leaders of the seven-party alliance are wary of the hostility of the United States and the Palace to any further agreement with the Maoists. And India’s official indifference is not … Continue reading
Siddharth Varadarajan 