An end to the ceasefire would naturally mean resumption of violence. But there is still some hope that the Maoists will continue with their unilateral ceasefire for some time.
This is the only factor that raises the hope that the Maoists would extend the ceasefire.
That will most certainly disrupt the November polls and will also weaken state institutions, which the Maoists want.
The gap between the crowd, which is quite ferocious, and the political leaders is wide. They're not quite comfortable facing the crowd and interacting with them.
Emotions are building up and more and more people are coming out and openly opposing the king.
They demonstrate their military strength to give a message that their willingness to be part of the (peace) process is not due to weakness.
Things are headed for confrontation if he doesn't respond to what people are demanding. Then we would get into a phase of bloodshed and more repression.
They haven't come up with a vision for what if the monarchy is abolished. To the extent of opposing the king, the seven parties are together. He is the cement that holds them together. I doubt whether if the king were not there, they would be unified.
People are tired of strikes and disruptions. There is a sense of fatigue.
That kind of traditional respect is over. A kind of momentum is building up.
