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30/06/2010: PM Nepal addressing the nation at 6 pm; resignation likely (nn), TRC bill not free from flaws: Rights defenders (kp), Janamorcha whets anti-federalism drive (kp), Another army squad out (kp), Legitimacy cloud hits bureaucracy, by Prakash Acharya (ht), 12 parties vow to woo Maoists for consensus: Say change of guard must for peace, statute (ht), Parties pile pressure on Big III to reach a deal (ht), Moving Towards Federalism: A New Experience for Nepal, by Aruna Joshi (tg)

29/06/2010: Curb violence, NHRC tells govt (kp), Dahal says he’s being cornered: Emerging troika on face-off path (kp), My own people cornered me: Dahal (nn), Dhadingbesi shows the way: Work for inter-party cooperation and principled leadership here, not in Boston, by Bihari Krishna Shrestha (kp), 50 per cent demining completed (ht), Constitutional bodies at loggerheads, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), War drill on in school, by Somanth Bastola (ht), Project CA: After all, whose project was it?, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), All In The Name Of Peace, by Prem Khatry (rn), Government failure, by Sukhdev Shah (rep)

28/06/2010: Political unity still a chimera Three parties fail again (kp), Big 3 dwell on state restructuring, statute, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Govt has failed on all fronts: Khanal (ht), Bhandari’s nay to bulk integration, by Prem Bhandari (kp), A lesson for our Maoists: History shows that ideologues within communist parties have lost to pragmatists, by Saroj Dhakal (kp), Tharuhat imposes ban on exploitation of natural resources (ht), Elusive consensus, by C.K. Lal (rep), CA Chair knocks PM Nepal's door for resumption of statute drafting (nn)

27/06/2010: Maoists for separate force comprising PLA (ht), Maoists cling to govt claim (kp), I’m fine with govt led by Prachanda: DPM Koirala (ht), I will not quit: PM (kp), Politics In A Fix, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Constitutional Discursive Process Maoists Lead The Pack, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Three-party meeting fails to make headway following Maoist stance on implementation of May 28 deal (nn), Dummy Prime Minister And Referee-less Political Game, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

26/06/2010: Maoist govt must, say members (kp), Expectations From The Maoists, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn)

25/06/2010: 17 small parties up the ante against Big Three (kp), In my humble opinion: A State Restructuring Commission should be formed and the government should quit, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Politics And Power-hungry Politicians, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), The failed people: If we complain about 'the way things are', then we cannot rule out a solution because of 'the way things are', by Indu Nepal (nt)

24/06/2010: Step it up: UN to govt, Maoists (kp), Fringe parties put pressure on big 3 (kp), NC,UML to call 3-party meet in two days (ht), 1,626 new martyrs: Many were cadres of parties (kp), The Maoist constitution: There are positive aspects and controversial parts in their version of the supreme law, by Prakash A. Raj (kp)

23/06/2010: Maoist stir to focus on House; Party vows to thwart budget plans (kp), Maoists, UML
one on new govt, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), UCPN-M,UML agree to abide by May 28 pact (ht), Deadlock concerns diplomats (kp), Maoists, govt accused of not keeping their word (ht), Futile parleys (ht), Nemwang confers with top leaders; says implementation of 28 pact crucial for expediting constitution-drafting (nn), Yadav's epilogue: The politics of Nepal is revolving around the theme of who becomes the next PM, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Intriguing Prachanda: By allowing national government under Baburam’s leadership, Prachanda will only gain in stature, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Nepal’s Political Parties: Areas Requiring Reforms, by Dev Raj Dahal (tg), Transparency is the best policy, by Ravi Kumar (tg)

22/06/2010: House oversight anathema to NA (kp) [In a state like Nepal where neither the PM nor the Minister of Defence have been elected by the people, the control of the army by the elected CA is more important than ever to safeguard democratic structures!!], Secretaries slam political meddling; seek code of conduct for ministers, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Uncertainty looms over budget presentation: In face of Maoist hurdles, Bill on Accounts a distinct possibility (ht), Maoists not to let budget pass (ht), Obscure group shuts Dang for Hindu state (ht), Step aside Mr Deuba (rep), UML, Maoist leaders agree to implement 3-point deal to end political deadlock (nn), Women raped by security personnel during conflict demand compensation (nn)

21/06/2010: Paudel to lead next govt, says Nepali Cong (ht) [How can the NC thinks that this is its decision ??] Banke VDC secys turn tail: Forty-six say they fear for their lives (kp), Returning home a pipe dream (kp), Wake up, wake up: If the former king’s Tarai visit does not serve as a warning to the parties, nothing will, by Shyam K.C. (kp) [!!!!], Normal life thrown out of gear in mid-western districts due to bandh called by Hindu group (nn), Maoists not to allow passage of budget until PM Nepal resigns (nn)

20/06/2010: Govt on horns of dilemma (kp), NC for consensus on PM berth (kp), NC intensifies parleys for formation of new govt (nn), Behave yourself: This is why the political parties and leaders failed, and this is what they have to do, by Bishnu Raj Upreti (kp), Race For Prime Minister, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Questions Of Leading A National Consensus Government, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

19/06/2010: Maoists stake claim to govt (kp), Bhattarai not in fray for PM’s position (ht), UML’s options on govt making (kp), CPN-UML asks PM to stay put (ht), Govt's days are numbered: Khanal (nn), NC & govt leadership (rep), Commanders seek firm stance on PLA integration, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht)

18/06/2010: Bhattarai wants govt first (kp), PM's resignation consensus condition, says Prachanda (ht), The Prime Minister: (Don’t) Read My Lips, by Sushil Sharma and Saroj Dahal (sp), UML leaders suggest PM Nepal not to resign (nn), Young CA members want consensus in 10 days (ht), Maoist tussle: The Drama Unfolds – Again, by Saroj Dahal (sp), UN hears story of ex-PLA girl (kp), SC denies interim order against CA extension (ht), Just do your job: The government should get busy on the constitution and not waste time on other things, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), The Politics Behind Deadlock, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Time to stop games: Is democracy on sickbed or in reverse gear?, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Hollow state: The debate on restructuring the state will have to address the gap between state aspirations and to delivery capacity, by Prashant Jha (nt), King and country, by Yubaraj Ghimire (sp), The Illegitimacy of Loktantrick Oligarchy, by Dipak Gyawali (sp)

17/06/2010: ‘UML, NC blowing Maoist vuvuzela’ (kp), UML chair takes potshot at govt (kp), Bhattarai sights plenty more fish in Maoist sea (ht), Ex-king on Tarai sojourn, by Shankar Acharya (kp) [For the sake of Nepal's future, please bring the inclusive, republican and secular constitution to a close as soon as possible in order to prevent another restoration of the eclusive royal Hindu state! The danger is growing!], Gyanendra in Bara on four-day trip, by Rabi Dahal and Diwakar Bhandari (ht), The way ahead: Fractured parties are to the detriment of democracy (kp), What are they waiting for? A new government and implementation of the May 28 pact is a must to produce a constitution, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), The promised land: Without land reform, there will be no economic transformation and no food security, by Jagat Basnet (kp), CA inaction worries NFIN (nn), Peace: Aspiration of people, by Punya P. Neupane (rep)

16/06/2010: Dahal’s govt hopes fading, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Maoist supremo
proposes another ‘peaceful’ protest (ht), Missing in battle: Relatives of the ‘disappeared’ deserve to know what happened (kp), Multiethnic army: Maoist and Madhesi regiments will deter threats to democracy from rogue officers in traditional NA, by Pramod Mishra (kp)

15/06/2010: Budget call at Maoist mercy (kp), Nembang calls on top guns for early budget session: If differences persist, disruption likely once proceedings begin (ht), PM’s early resignation unlikely, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Fundamentals of Nepali democracy: Loktantra has come to mean something very different from what was envisaged four years ago, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Silhouetted transitional justice: In the backdrop of impunity, by Rabindra Gautam (ht), APF expands base camps in 16 eastern region districts; requests additional human resources (nn)

14/06/2010: Speaker urges PM to call budget session (kp), Look before you leap: Join the ICC only after considering all the implications for the country and the people, by Shyam K.C. (kp), OHCHR downsizing part of plan to muzzle rights workers, interview with Mandira Sharma (kp), Simmering politics: Deadlock is on, by Binod Bhattarai (ht), Dahal claims he was forced to give up PM post for trying to find whereabouts of people disappeared by state (nn)

13/06/2010: Political deadlock & constitution-writing (rep), Kisan party steps out (kp), NWPP withdraws support to government (ht), Yadav huffs at Dahal’s ‘bad luck’ (kp), UCPN-M open to Prachanda’s alternative, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), If only they were..., by Aditya Man Shrestha (rep), Dahal's dilemma, by Bhagirath Yogi (rep), Women’s participation in conflict resolution stressed (rn), Impunity And Statelessness, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), PM's resignation not a succor to country's political woes: Thapa (nn) [But the disappearance of Hindu political demands would be a great help!!], Rana warns fringe parties might take untoward decision (nn), Maoist victims seek return of their seized properties (nn), Honoring Perpetrators Of Human Rights Violence, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

12/06/2010: Budget session likely on June 18: PM urged to address the nation tomorrow, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Ruling parties for implementing point 1 and 3 of May 28 agreement together  (nn), Bijukchhe withdraws support to govt (nn), Maoist peace process stance on June 15 (ht), Dahal to lay modality (kp), SC for women’s rights education in curricula (ht), Call for women’s participation in policy level (ht), Let Maoists lead govt: Dr Koirala (ht), Bhattarai wants all land nationalised (kp), The killing fields: The Tarai has become a playground for criminals who operate fearlessly as state agencies struggle to crack down, by Laxmi Sah (kp)

11/06/2010: Muluki Ain preamble: SC fiat to address Dalits’ concern; Caste connotation jargon bone of contention, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), ‘Witchcraft charge, a way of scapegoating women’ (ht), UCPN-Maoist throws its weight behind Prachanda: Says there’s no alternative to his leadership in unity govt (ht), Maoists pick party chair for PM berth (kp), Dahal unacceptable as next PM: NC, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), The Geneva accord (kp) [text of the agreement], OHCHR gets its wings clipped (kp) [A severe setback for Nepal's process of peace and renewal; it only serves the politics of impunity!], Fragile peace has OHCHR worried (ht), Single Madhes opposed (ht), Limits of formalism: Formal structures do not produce political outcomes by themselves, by Mahendra Lawoti (kp), Deepening Deadlock, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), So far, so ok: The CA got some important, by Dhruba Simkhada (nt), The intellectual dilemma: Why can't the Maoists and the intellectuals who support them understand what joining the constitutional porcess means?, by Mohan Bikram Singh (nt), Losing ground: Madhes leaders have no one to blame but themselves for their lack of a role , by Prashant Jha (nt), NA miffed with leaders for statements on integration (nn)

10/06/2010: Blast for the past: The explosion perhaps marks the re-emergence of extreme right (kp) [There have been other signs before: The public statements of former royals and their contact to Hindu fundamentalist organizations, the statements and behaviour of royal hentchmen like Kamal Thapa, and the increasing public appearance of Hindu fundamentalist organisations!], Three arrested in connection with Basundhara explosion (nn), Never sought UCPN-M backing for PM’s post: NC (ht), Maoists lay claim to govt leadership again; says Dahal is the sole candidate for PM post (nn), Big Three meeting deferred as usual (ht), Implement three-point pact: Nembang (ht), CPN-UML to be flexible on consensus government (ht), OHCHR Nepal's one year extension official (nn), From East with hate, by Jainendra Jeevan (rep)

09/06/2010: Car bomb rocks Capital, seven hurt (kp), Car blast in Basundhara, five
hurt, unknown group owns up (ht), Dahal ‘tested,’ Bhattarai to get a chance?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), NC, UML start govt formation talks (kp), PLA-party detachment new consensus mantra, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Bhattarai complains to UNMIN chief govt not serious regarding integration of Maoist combatants (nn), Political understanding on peace process and constitution writing should precede new govt: UML (nn) [Implement the peace agreement of November 2006 and do not try to change it time and again!], Three-party dispute may mar budget: Nembang (kp), Don't delay budget session: Learn from the past (rep), Thapa says CPA has no weight (kp), Wounded nation: Rhinos getting shot in Chitwan is one example of the ‘country’s fluid political situation’, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Mysterious people: Who, what and where is this civil society that everybody in Nepal is talking about?, by C.D. Bhatta (kp), Political forces: The amorphous group of multiculturalists needs to be more active, by Pramod Mishra (kp), DPM Gachchhadar off to New Delhi (nn), Resignation is not under PM Nepal’s control, interview with Upendra Yadav (tg), Nepal Maoist must wage another Peoples' Revolt,Interview with Krishna B. Bhattachan (tg),                       Irresponsible Prime Minister (tg)

08/06/2010: CC meets to discuss way ahead (kp), Gray cloud over budget session (kp), CA Chair meets Maoist leader Dahal as uncertainty hangs over budget session (nn), Nepal begins parleys to commence House; In dilemma over who will present the budget: His government or the new one (ht), Reach consensus (ht), Consensus: Accommodation or appeasement?, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), Decide on PM’s resignation, peace first: Fringe parties (ht), Civil society group joins row (kp), ‘OHCHR-N must have full mandate’ (ht), Shun power politics to draft constitution (rn), Prachanda against fixing PLA strength: Wants to ask each fighter’s wish before a decision (ht), The old man and the lake: Where would the story of Bardia's Badhaiya Tal fit in in the state restructuring debate?, by Anil Bhattarai (kp), Critical Uncertainty, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)

07/06/2010: Army move raises Maoist hackles: ‘Link with missing doc a ploy’ (kp), Big-three treading disaster path?, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), Nembang urges PM to end stalemate: Wants parties kept on toes (kp), PM pushing country to crisis, says Dr Bhattarai (nn), Dahal indirectly hints India as main obstruction for implementation of 3-point deal (nn), Small parties blame big three for delay in statute making (nn), OHCHR to stay here another year (kp), OHCHR-N term extended with limited mandate (ht), Five years on: andarmude wounds ache, by Dipendra Baduwal (kp), The guilty must pay: Nepal should join the ICC to show the world that impunity will not be tolerated, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (kp), Why should a majority government step down?, interview with K.P. Sharma Oli, conservative leader of CPN (UML) who was rejected by the people in the 2008 elections for the CA (kp), UML leaders strive to make Oli, Adhikary CA members (nn) [CA members cannot be exchanged at any time at the will of part 'leaders'! Replacing CA members who have been elected under the PR system by Bahuns who have been rejected by the electorate is a fundamental crime against the desire of the people of Nepal!!], Khanal denies preparation to make Oli and Adhikary as CA members (nn), Innovative integration: The art of the possible, by Chiran Jung Thapa (ht), Never-ending political crisis, by Hari Bansha Dulal (rep)

06/06/2010: Hell no, I won’t go: The prime minister seems to have no intention of resigning in the near future (kp), Credibility at stake: The understanding signed between the major parties states that the PM shall resign, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Gaining ground, preen Maoists, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), No compromise with Maoists: NC (ht) [By the way, which commitments have been fulfilled by NC und UML since November 2006? The integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist fighters without any number limitation should have been the immediate task of the then interim government of Girija Prasad Koirala (NC) according to the comprehensive peace agreement! Implement this without any further discussions!], Conflicting Views And Perspectives, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Crisis averted, what next?, by George Varughese and Menaka Guruswamy (rep), Bring fraudsters to justice, by Murari Sharma (rep), Police arrest 5 KJWP leaders (nn)

05/06/2010: The rise of the right: Right-wing politics based on Hindutva has begun to assert itself in the Nepali political spectrum, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Maoists blow ‘separate force for PLA’ bugle (kp), Govt tightens PLA combatant screws (kp), Govt hastens new hiring in NA infantry (kp) [Why are Nepal's conservative parties systematically destroying the peace process?? Is it foreign pressure or the fear of the traditional elites to lose their prerogatives in an inclusive secular state??], UCPN(M) dissatisfied over NA recruitment (nn), US will help rehab fighters: Envoy [You still call them terrorists but you want to rehabilitate them? US politics has not changed yet, even under the Obama administration!], Govt in dark on 1,400 ousted PLA fighters (ht), Maoists sidelining weighty issues, claim NC, CPN-UML (ht), NC, UML fire salvo at Maoists (kp), Stalemate once again (rep), A fake eulogy to a real Nepal, by Pranab Man Singh (kp), Kirant outfit leaders held (ht), Bumpy road ahead, by Post B. Basnet (rep)

04/06/2010: Not a bad idea: Progress on the constitution can be made if Nembang’s proposals are followed (kp), ‘Betrayed’ Maoists to resume street war (kp), Prachanda warns of ‘movement’ (rn), PM will not resign, say NC, UML (rn), NC, UML still treading water (kp), Political dishonesty slur on NC, UML (ht), ‘Miffed’ SC stays honours dole: Govt not allowed to defend itself, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Maoist strike: Security forces get OHCHR pat on the back (kp), Let them eat chow chow: One way to unite the CA members may be to give them a pack of instant noodles each, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Parties’ Rhetoric And Political Reality, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), What Went Wrong?, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), The magic wand: After the drama of last week, we are back to where we started, by Dhruba Simkhada (nt), Resurrection, deconstructed: Deconstructing 28 May is central to understanding the elements that characterise the present political situation, by Prashant Jha (nt), Nepal Law Society: Model Support (sp), CA Extension: The Days After, by Sushil Sharma (sp)

03/06/2010: War of nerves continues: I am no obstacle to unity govt: PM (kp), ‘Twas a betrayal, lament Maoists (kp), Three-party stalemate lingers on (ht), NC, UML breached gentleman's agreement on PM's resignation: UCPN (M) (nn), Maoists boycott special committee meeting (ht), NC, UML seek concrete plan on army integration from Maoists (nn), Gachhadar wants Madhes-based parties to lead govt (ht) [This is definitely not the will of the electorate!], Give peace another chance: Could Nepal re-invent the concept of ZoP and possibly include it in its constitution?, by Isabelle Duquesne (kp) [see part 2 (04/06/2010)], Parties told to remove statute irritants, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), SC orders govt not to confer state honours for now (nn)

02/06/2010: Big-3 asked to end row (kp), Milk of Nepal-Oli ties curdles, by Bhadra Sharma (kp) [Both of hem are not national leaders because they have been rejected by the electorate!!], Oli asks Maoists to
abide by 3-point deal: Says they must wait till the deadline ends, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Prachanda delinks PM ouster demand from weightier matters (ht), No resignation of PM before consensus: UML (nn), Crucial three-party meet ends without results (nn) [Shall this go on this way for another year?], Get to work: Major efforts need to be made if the next year is not to be squandered (kp), SC moved against Republic Day honours (ht), Award panel admits to faulty nominatiotions (ht), R-Day award choices draws more flak (ht) [Nepal remains a state of lawlessness and impunity with criminals being awarded and promoted and rejected politicians claiming to be leaders and claiming leading state positions!!], DIGs land up in award doghouse (kp), No more brinkmanship: The parties could have agreed weeks ahead to obviate the build-up of so much stress, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Don't even think about it: A Sri Lanka style military solution would offer nothing except destruction and misery, by Liz Philipson (kp), CA extension challenged in SC (ht), Enabling State to Address Governance Challenges & Conflict Resolution, by Dev Raj Dahal (tg), 5-Questions: Nepal CA tenure extension debate, Experts Speak, Interviews (tg)

01/06/2010: Fur flies over honours dole (kp), Your move (kp), Deal unable to instil lost trust (kp), Big three parties lock horns over agreement interpretation: Clear misunderstanding first, says UCPN-M (rn), May 28 pact breach talk rends the air (ht), UCPN (Maoist) urges fringe parties to pressure PM to resign (nn), PM gets two-day deadline to quit (ht), 48 hours, and PM must go: Maoists (kp), Bhattarai warns of serious consequence if PM refuses to step down by Wednesday (nn), CA chair asks PM to take steps for implementation of three-party pact (nn), Strategic revision: State of flux, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Diluted discourse, by Sumit Sharma Sameer (kp), The Federalism Dilemma, by Prem Khatry (rn), Give Maoists due credit, by Sukhdev Shah (rep), Win-win approach, by Heather Ashley Hager (rep)

31/05/2010: Big III dwell on ways to implement pact (ht), Trio at variance on deal doing (kp), Three things: There is room for compromise among parties on the new constitution (kp), PM unwilling to quit: Kiran (ht), PM asked to quit only after package deal, by Prakash Acharya (ht), No new govt until Maoists move ‘one step’ ahead on integration, interview with Krishna Prasad Sitaula (kp) [And when will NC and UML start to move one step?], Big three stick to their guns over PM's resignation (nn), Ruling parties misinterpreting Friday night pact: UCPN (M) (nn), Govt's honour to 'Janandolan 2 culprits' draw flak; martyrs' kin stage demo (nn) [Politics of impunity goes unabated], May 28 and tabloid TV: Awry tally, by Binod Bhattarai (ht), Comedy of the ridiculous: The leaders playacted so well that they kept the people on tenterhooks till the end, by Shyam K.C. (kp)

30/05/2010: Another stalemate brewing? (kp), Crisis Averted But Tough Task Ahead (rn), Who’ll pip the rest to the post as new PM? (kp), Holy smoly, will it be Oli?, by Bhadra Sharma (kp) [A conservative Bahun like Oli is not open for necessary changes!!], Chances of Maoists leading new govt slim, say NC, UML leaders: ‘They still need to transform into civilian party’ (ht), Hope and despair rub shoulders on second Republic Day, by Baburam Kharel (kp), ‘Street statute’ draft delivered, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), UCPN-M brings out draft of new statute (rn), UCPN-M unveils own statute, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), New term pleases Tarai parties, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Support to extension conditional, says RPP (kp), Time and space (kp), Big three resume talks for consensus (nn), PM Nepal will not resign until Maoists abide by the agreement: Ten ruling parties (nn), Int’l allies hail renewed CA term (kp), CA Tenure Extension Victory Of Politics Of Moderation, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Delayed constitution & its impact on children, by Deepesh Paul Thakur (rep), Diaspora wants parties to unite for peace, constitution (ht), Limbuwan to file case against govt, big three (nn), Constituent Assembly Gets A New Life, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

29/05/2010: Why flopped the statute mission: Inter-party polarisation, shift to majority system of government and delay in deciding fighters’ fate stand distinctly, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), CA gets new lease of life in dying hours of House: Eighth Amendment Bill passed with 580 votes; Term extended by a year; PM ready to step down; New govt in two weeks, by Arjun Bhandari and Prakash Acharya (ht), House extends CA term by one year, by Liladhar Upadhyaya (rn), Year-long licence to live, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Three-point pact
ends stalemate (ht), Gobbledygook had all writhing (kp), Jeers, fears precede CA tenure extension (kp), The people of the movement, by Ishwar Rauniyar and Baburam Kharel (kp), The order of things: A republic state was a historical conclusion; Gyanendra’s mistakes only expedited the process, by Nilambar Acharya (kp), A political journey: Gyanendra’s royal misadventures led to the monarchy being rendered an anachronistic institution, by Pratyoush Onta (kp), Divided opinions: The Maoists and other parties represent two fundamentally-divergent worldviews, by Pradeep Giri (kp), A need to nurture: Some people are not comfortable with the republican state, but that’s not because they are in favour of a monarchical state, by Devendra Raj Panday (kp), Statesmanship Mired In Petty Squabbling, by Bhimsen Thapaliya (rn), Angry youths protest CA’s non-performance in various forms (rn), War wounded still await relief (ht)

28/05/2010: Whither constitution writing? Contrary to popular belief, the CA members have actually done a lot of work; It's their leaders who are mostly to blame for the CA's failure (nt), Fate of CA hangs in balance (ht), ‘No conditions acceptable for CA term extension’ (ht), House in for ‘historic pressure’: Consensus could see CA term extended by Friday night (kp), UML to display utmost flexibility (kp), Catastrophe if CA bites dust, by Mukul Humagain and Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Rights activist’s Hindu state fear (ht), The grim future: Stark reality, by Kamal Raj Dhungel (ht), Hopes belied (ht), Forward to the past: Consensus politics could have led to the formulation of the constitution well before May 28, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), It’s the economy, Netaji: The greatest threat to the status quo doesn’t come from the Maoists, by Thomas Bell (kp), Challenges Of Restructuring The State, by Liladhar Upadhyaya (rn), Nepal: A Republic Under Strains (rn), The Young Republic And Its Challenge, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Just questions: We all know the answers. How about some questions for the Constituent Assembly and its members?, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), Flex-ible: The Maoists may have to step back to move forward, by Prashant Jha (nt), Engage the monarchy: Better to engage the monarchy culturally than risk it being exploited by dangerous ideologies, by Biraj Bahadur Bista (nt), UNSG concerned over CA future (nn), UML, NC make final call to Maoists for CA term extension (nn), Parliamentary session to convene for amendment of constitution (nn), UCPN (M) issues whip to its lawmakers to vote against constitution amendment bill; CA's fate hangs in a balance (nn), NC leader Acharya against current govt (nn), NSU burns effigies of 601 lawmakers (nn), Three-party meet with CA chair underway at CA building (nn), Parties agree to extend CA term (nn)

27/05/2010: Resignation of PM major stumbling block: Three largest parties to give consensus another chance today, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Blame game goes unabated (ht), Indian parties all for CA extension, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Maoists and the people: Get rid of class distinction mania, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), ‘Save CA’ three-party meet comes a cropper (kp), Die banda die: The people have had enough, the state must penalise the political culture of violence, by Sagun S. Lawoti (kp), Do or die: CA extension may offer the aging pack one final chance, by Biswas Baral (kp), The Sky Won’t Fall, by Shyam K.C. (rn), A workable model?, by Trailokya Raj Aryal (rep), Human right situation has worsened in Nepal: Amnesty report (nn) [see Nepal section of the AI report]

26/05/2010: Farewell freedom fighters! CA extension is a temporary solution; more urgent is replacement of the present generation of political leaders, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Talks hang in air, yet again: Leaders say hope still not lost (kp), CA ends, govt goes: Nembang (kp), ‘Govt would be dissolved if CA tenure not extended’ (rn), PM intent on statute, but extension a must (kp), Ruling parties start laying groundwork (kp), Base year: May 28 should be the occasion for the formation of a new government (kp), Netra to Big Two: Avoid Delhi spell (kp), Govt makes room for 2,000 more martyrs (kp), Day of infamy: The end of the CA will be remembered as the saddest day in Nepali history, by Abhi Subedi (kp), State Of Virtual Conflict, by Bhimsen Thapaliya (rn), NEFIN stages indefinite sit-in in front of CA building (ht), Former king leaves it to people to decide: Says no desire to make a foray into politics (ht 26/05/2010) [The people have already decided! So, please shut up once and for all!!], Shiva Sena roots for Gyanendra (ht), Nepal’s Madhesi leaders are very shrewd, selfish and dishonest to their own people, interview with Ram Dayal Rakesh (tg), Three party meeting underway at CA building (tg)

25/05/2010: Parliament, CA, government will be dissolved if CA term not extended: Nemwang (nn), Dahal changes tack on CA term: Seeks consensus politics guarantee before May 28, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Maoists soften stance on CA term extension (ht), Light of hope at tunnel end (kp), Big-3 to make last ditch effort today (kp), Big III may seal the deal today (ht), Three-party meeting concludes, to sit again on Wednesday (nn) [You may repeat this text on Wednesday and Thursday and ...], Oppn bent on PM’s ouster (kp), Fringe parties for giving new life to CA (kp), A fine balance: A systemic approach to settle local disputes can limit foreign meddling, by Aditya Baral (kp), From pillorying to paeans: A subtle shift, by Chiran Jung Thapa (ht), NFIN starts indefinite dharna in front of CA building (nn)

24/05/2010: Oppn registers dissent notice: Govt to table CA extension bill today, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Maoists table  protest notice to veto govt Bill, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Discussion on eighth amendment bill, Maoist disapproval notice stalled (nn), Maoist CC members also take hard line (kp), 10 allies to issue whip (kp), UML blasts PM (kp), Maoists raise objection over PM’s remarks (rn), Maoists, fringe parties say no to CA term extension until PM resigns (nn), UCPN (M) decides to go for CA term extension 'conditionally' (nn), PM seeks partners’ pardon for ‘tongue-slip’ (ht) [This is typical narrow-mindedness of the Nepali politicians! Why does he not ask for the people's pardon??], Save the CA: The Maoists should accept CA term extension without conditions (kp), D-day minus four: A change of strategy can help the Constitution be amended for the least dangerous exit, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Silence is cowardice: The government should do all it can to protect the people of Nepali origin in India, by Shyam K.C. (kp), Not extending CA term favours PM / Post-May 28 revival of CA political, not constitutional, interviews with Subas Chandra Nembang and Purna Man Shakya (kp), Fringe parties raise voice in House for profection of CA (rn), ‘Don’t kill CA without giving statute’: Fringe parties picket well,remind Maoists when CA was their agenda (ht), SC clears hurdle to extension of CA tenure (ht), Legal experts give five-point roadmap to political parties (ht), UML-Maoist parleys fail to offer even a glimmer of hope (kp), Diaspora worried about instability: Calls parties to work together (ht), Is democracy at crossroads? Understanding its nature and implications, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Let CA expire, by Hari Bansha Dulal (rep), NFIN suggests parties to extend CA term only for short period (nn)

23/05/2010: Hope dims as D-day nears (kp), Stage set for statute amendment procedure: Nembang wants bill fixed (kp), MJF forms defence squad: Madhesi Rakshya Dal to ‘fight crime, corruption’ (kp) [Nepal cannot have enough militant organizations!!], Welcome move in Tarai (rep) [No, only the state and not private militant organizations have the authority to provide security and to curb crimes and violence!], Pokhara resounds to peace calls (kp), Maoists soften stance at CC meet (ht), Why extend it? CA extension is akin to robbing the poor to pay politicians, by Bihari Krishna Shrestha (kp), Who Controls Nepal’s Peace Process?, by Shambhu Shrestha (rn), Political Conundrums SOS Call For Saving CA, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Give Maoists room for safe landing, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep), PM draws UML flak for
remarks on CA (ht), UML rejects PM Nepal's remark on CA being agenda of Maoists (nn)

22/05/2010: Nembang seeks new life for CA (kp), Legal experts offer solutions galore (ht), I stood for CA to please Maoists: PM (kp) [???], Fringe parties take PM to task over his remarks on CA (nn), No retreat, no surrender: Dahal (kp), And the drama continues!, by Archana Thapa (kp), Finding a way out, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Tarai outfit surrenders weapons (ht), NC-Maoist meeting inconclusive (nn), Maoists, UML hold internal meetings (nn), Vacate camps for unity govt, UCPN-M told (ht), Maoist top brass divided on CA future: Prachanda against extending term without consensus (kp), Norway urges consensus among parties (ht), MJF floats 'YCL-like' youth squad (nn), Bomb explodes outside CA building (nn)

21/05/2010: Street statute talk baseless: Dahal, by Manoj Basnet (kp), Maoists put to rest
unrest fears (ht 21/05/2010), MJF still a Maoist ally? (kp), Fringe parties press Big-3 to extend CA term (ht), Fringe parties worry about CA dissolution (nn), Forces asked to up alert level (kp), NC no to separate force for fighters (kp), Things to do: It is time to once again seriously revisit the CPA (kp), The last hope: If the political machinery were to fail, the bureaucracy should take over, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), India to push for a workable solution by next week, by Nilova Roy Chaudhury (ht), Find Common Ground, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), Don't kill the CA: Dissolving the CA would mean officially inviting violence into politics, by Gagan Thapa (nt), Flagellating the self-flagellators: Incredible as it may seem, it's possible to be anti-Maoist and pro-people, by Rabi Thapa (nt), Terai armed group surrenders (nn), The PM's knot, by Damakant Jayshi (rep), "People’s Mandate Must", interview with Suresh Acharya (sp), "Blaming India Is A Good Excuse", interview with Lok Raj Baral (sp), In A Spot: Clock has begun to tick for the UN mission to pack up, but will it?, by Navin Singh Khadka (sp), Extension Of Confusion, by Sushil Sharma and Saroj Dahal (sp)

20/05/2010: No nixing majority system: NC, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), PM wants Maoist da,
Dahal wont for nyet (kp), Key UCPN-M ally backs out: MJF against seeking PM’s resignation, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), MJF forms youth wing to 'protect achievements of Madhes movement'  (nn) [Another militant youth wings means a further step away from peace!], NHRC: Sink differences (kp), Fringe parties pressure for CA extension (ht), ICRC for lessening conflict impact (kp), Maoists told to agree to CA term extension to defend achievements of Janaandolan (nn), Doctrine of necessity: ‘The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a little longer’, by Nishchal N. Pandey (kp), Nepal needs compromise: India should support forming a unity government in the spirit of the peace process, by Suhas Chakma (kp), Fingers crossed: No reason to despair yet; things might still turn out right, by Biswas Baral (kp), Foreign diplomats in Nepal crossing boundary: Experts (rn) [??], Political accountability and social contract: A democracy's genuine support, by Izumi Wakugawa (ht)

19/05/2010: Peace hinges on CA term extension: Nembang, Landgren concerned (kp) Narayan Kaji drops CA extension hint (kp), Top three stick to guns (kp), UML to narrow down NC, Maoist extremes (kp), No headway in Maoist-NC talks (ht), NC rejects Maoist proposal (nn), 'Big parties' hegemony behind deepening crisis' (nn), Parties press Maoists to extend CA term (ht), The safest bet: The major task for the parties now is to ensure that the CA is preserved (kp), Consensus Is The Way (rn), Lawmakers differ over extending CA tenure (rn), Civil society activists suggest PM Nepal to step down (nn), UNMIN chief intensifies political parleys (nn), Third party mediation: All emergent forces aligned for state restructuring stand to lose if the Maoists are summarily defeated, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Friends don’t meddle with internal affairs, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Constitution now: The political parties should bury the hatchet and revive the politics of consensus, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Integration and rehabilitation: Expert support is essential, but political problems do not have technical solutions, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (kp), Business Community: The New Political Player, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), CA baddies await societal rejection (tg), Politics is a Long Run Horse, by Nav Raj Pokharel (tg), Foreigners take Nepalese as their “lap dogs” and they thus interfere in our important and significant decisions, interview with Surendra K.C. (tg)

18/05/2010: CA extension bill, Maoists nix it, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Bill tabled for CA extension: Amendment possible in four days (ht), Govt registers bill to amend interim statute (rn), UML, NC back CA extension bill (rn), NC for six-month CA term extension (kp), Call for CA extension (kp), SC summons govt for bid to give CA lease of life (ht), Let’s talk: UML to Maoists: Khanal for trimming govt tenure (kp), CPN-UML lays out plan to hammer a deal , by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Ball back in Maoist court, by Prakash Rimal (ht), Maoists, NC refuse to budge from their stand (nn), Furious locals vent ire on lawmakers (ht), ‘Revolt storm gathering’ (kp), Pause a lull before storm: Prachanda (ht), ‘Let OHCHR stay’ (kp), Maoist leaders interact with diplomats to garner support for a national govt  (nn), Integration, rehab in four months (kp), Rs 670 million UN support for discharged PLA (ht), UN aid to rehabilitate minors (kp), Mistrust and subterfuge: The dysfunctions in Nepali politics has increased mistrust between the two sides to the peace process and made the attainment of compromise difficult, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Politics, rights and justice: There is a relationship between human rights and democracy as there is between “nail and flesh” — they are inseparable, by Sushil Pyakurel (kp), Preventing economic collapse: Political consensus urgent, by Dilli Raj Khanal (ht)

17/05/2010: Worry over post May-28 uncertainty (rn), Maoists want square one again: To declare new statute draft on May 29, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Maoists to unveil
statute draft on Republic Day, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), UCPN (M) will publicise people's constitution on May 29: Baidya (nn), 6-month lease for CA, emergency possible: PM (ht), CA tenure informal bill in House (kp), Move to extend CA tenure challenged in apex court (ht), Preconditions For Unity Government (rn), World ups ante on PLA integration, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Maoists In The Quagmire Of Imperialism, by Shambhu Shrestha (rn), NC lawmakers for taking helm: Irked at listing of their caders (kp), NC in bid to head new govt (ht), National government: Still nowhere in sight, by Binod Bhattarai (ht), People against people: The image of “civil society” was put to use in a regrettable manner at the Basantapur rally, by Celayne Heaton Shrestha (kp), International help sought for statute drafting, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), PM reacts sternly against international pressure (nn), Any person can be prime minister, says Khanal (nn), Govt has still not reciprocated our initiative for dialogue: Dr. Bhattarai (nn), Civil society activists suggest top three for CA term extension (nn), Govt to table constitution amendment bill for CA term extension (nn), Govt tables constitution amendment bill for extension of CA term (nn), Business community laments lack of political consensus (nn)

16/05/2010: PM comes out guns blazing (kp), Congress, UML may yet capitulate: Maoist leader, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Khanal’s proposal endorsed: PM to step down after consensus (kp), Promises to keep: Lack of trust has prevented parties from reaching agreement (kp), Presenting option X: Create new security forces out of the Maoist combatants and downsize the Army, by Ranadhoj Limbu-Angbuhang (kp)

15/05/2010: Ministerial panel to coax Maoists into consensus (ht), UML lawmakers for one-year lease to CA, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), NC word on CA extension today (ht), Allies at variance over CA tenure (kp), Gachhadar parries PM thrust (kp), Time running out, UN concerned (ht), Act or it will be too late: UNMIN (kp), Experts, analysts chafed at parties (ht), Rights activists want OHCHR to stay (ht)

14/05/2010: ‘Don’t keep House in dark’ (kp), Lawmakers irked at leaders (ht), Game plan (ht), PM intensifies CA tenure extension talks (ht), UML for one year CA term extension (nn), No meeting of minds yet on integration, by Akhilesh Upadhyay (kp), No trade with PM: Maoists (kp), Letting go: The Maoists may be ready to give up the PLA, but need credible guarantees it won't weaken them as much as the other players want, by Prashant Jha (nt), UNMIN chief call on Maoist chairman; says 4 months not enough to finish army integration job (nn), FNCCI sets 48-hour deadline for consensus, by Kuvera Chalise (ht), Hit the unity govt road, FNCCI urges leaders, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Look before you leap, Nepal told (kp), Hopeless coalition: The performance of the MKN government has been a poor zero, nay a definite minus, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Banda on the  run: Making the state more responsive to grievances could lower the occurrence of bandas, by Mahendra Lawoti (kp), Talk is cheap: Recent attacks on journalists belie Maoist commitment to press freedom (kp), New Opportunity For Consensus, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Edging closer? The political stalemate shows some signs of easing, at least for the hopeful, by Dewan Rai (nt), Wanted: leaders; Polls may surprise, but they also have the power to guide those willing to take their judgement positively, by Krishna Khanal (nt), Less revolting, by Kiran Nepal (nt), Get the message across: If the business community cannot convince people of its indispensability, then peace assemblies won't stave off the next strike, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), CA can be dissolved if Maoists disrupt statute-drafting process: Koirala (nn) [The CA cannot be dissolved because it represents the choice of the electorate, but the government should be dissolved because it is full of persons that have been rejected by the people!!], Leaders and democratic transformation: Give peace a chance, by Subarna Chhetri (ht), Maoist top brass consults civil society leaders (nn)

13/05/2010: PLA merger ‘possible in 4 months’: Prachanda admits indefinite general strike was a mistake; Vows to dismantle Young Communist League barracks in five days, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), Maoists mellow stance on unity govt, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Dahal irked at govt stance: ‘PLA integration precondition humiliating’ (kp), UCPN-Maoist already a civilian party: Prachanda (rn), Wounded pride: To lead Nepal democratically, Prachanda has to earn the confidence of considerable sections of society, by Deepak Thapa (kp), NC-UML postive on Dahal's statement, urge Maoists to put words into action (nn), NC, UML rider for grand coalition (ht), NC, UML agree on amending statute: Nembang expedites consensus bid (kp), Maoists positive on giving CA bonus life (ht), Fringe parties for CA extension (kp), PM’s consultations on CA term continue (rn), PM Nepal busy garnering support for CA term extension (nn), Lawmakers demand end to constitutional uncertainty (rn), Time running out, CA Chair reminds Dahal (ht), Prime Minister enlists fringe parties’ backing (ht), Where’s the will? The required urgency is still lacking in the negotiations between parties (kp), Dahal rues ‘dandy tirade' (kp), SC nixes stay on NA recruitment drive (kp), SC upholds NA recruitment, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Political consensus: Can we learn from Pakistan’s experience?, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), UNMIN term extended by four months (nn), Revolt if constitution fails to ensure rights of indegenous people: NEFIN (nn), Taskforce comes up with list of 85 indigenous nationalities; Brahmins and Chhetris also seek recognition (nn), Business community not to pay taxes if constitution not promulgated by May 28: FNCCI (nn)[??]

12/05/2010: Prez urges PM to look sharp, avert crisis (kp), Consensus-forger can lead govt: UML (kp), UML sets terms for Nepal's resignation (kp), NC, UML sing unity tune: No CA extension unless PM quits: Maoists (kp), Maoists polarise on future premier (kp), Maoists entrust office bearers to pick leader for next government: Standing Committee member says alternative to Prachanda possible; party secretary sings a different tune (ht), Some martyrs are more equal, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Sounds and silence: Business chiefs who went to plead with the leaders received rude and mute responses, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Sequence of justice: Our liberation from caste, class, gender and central oppression are part of an unfinished history, by Rukmini Chaudhary, Som Maya Tamang and Shakun Sherchand Leslie (kp), Reds and peaceniks, by Pramod Mishra (kp)

11/05/2010: Ten parties want PM to go, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Maoists, fringe
parties team up (ht), Prachanda: New coalition advances (rn), UML over barrel on consensus (kp), Maoists ‘no fans’ of unity govt (ht), NC, UML for adding a year to CA’s tenure, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Govt preparing to table proposal to extend CA term (nn), Maoists ready for Dahal's option for PM; backdoor meetings for consensus on (nn), No nixing OHCHR, chorus diplomats (kp), Sujata rules out foreign mediation (rn), Parties enmeshed in age-old game of chicken-and-egg, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Cardinal points: The six-point agenda has already laid out the groundwork for talks (kp), Shades of Bangkok: Nepal has been taking some Thai lessons in how to do street politics, by Thomas Bell (kp), Ten thousand things: I put my hope in the Maoists because I didn’t expect anything from the other parties, by Anil Bhattarai (kp), CJ defends constitutional bodies’ appointments (ht), CJ urges to vacate Dahal’s writ on CC appointments (nn), State in nepal: Losing rationality and legitimacy, by Mukti Rijal (ht), 'No alternative to Dahal as prime ministerial candidate' (nn)

10/05/2010: No truck with govt: Maoists; Say talks only when PM quits (kp), Maoists reject talks offer (rn), Prime Minister proposes, Chairman Prachanda disposes (ht), PM’s fresh terms for quitting (kp), PM not to quit before PLA is disbanded (rn), NC rules out change of present government (rn), Change of guard only after package deal, says NC: Maintains consensus onus is on Maoists (ht), Biz community urges consensus initiative: Maoists must stop language of threat: PM (ht), Seek alternative PM, says MJF chief (ht), Maoists, cops clash; DSP, scribes hurt: Protesters detain National  Investigation Department official,informer (ht), Red rage rules at Maitighar (kp), Many Maoists return home (kp), KJWP growing ‘strong’, by Lila Ballav Ghimire (kp), All too predictable: The way Kathmandu’s privileged reacted to the Maoist movement came as no surprise, by Shradha Ghale (kp), Prudent moce: Calling off the strike was a triumph of reason and not a loss of face for the Maoists, by Shyam K.C. (kp), FNJ slams Prachanda’s provocative anti-press rant (ht), Govt committed to ensure security to journalists: PM Nepal (nn), YCL activists deployed to seize  explosives (ht), Failure of the leaders: Maturity must come to the rescue, by Sugat Ratna Kansakar (ht), Diplomats call for urgent steps from govt for consensus (nn), 'Maoists withdrawal of strike has angered party's rank and file' (nn), Maoists averse to 'meaningless' talks with government amid PM's conditions for quitting (nn), Bhattarai says there is no meaning in extending CA's term till current govt lasts (nn), NRNA calls to resolve deadlock through dialogue (nn), 'PM won't resign unless army integration issue is settled' (nn), Ten parties including UCPN (Maoist) call for PM's resignation (nn), UCPN (M) boycotts House sitting (nn)

09/05/2010: Consensus road open (kp), Ray of hope: The Maoist gesture at consensus
building should be reciprocated (kp), Ball in govt’s court: Prachanda; Serves 48-hour ultimatum to coalition to address Maoist demands (ht), Maoists wait ‘n’ watch (kp), Stir won’t stop: Dahal; Says ball in the ruling parties' court (kp), NC says ball still in Maoists' court (nn), Red carpet rolls out for peace (kp), MJF seeks alternative to Dahal as PM candidate (nn), Maoist cadres seethe at strike recall, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Maoist activists in Dhangadi feel betrayed (ht), Coalition allies call UCPN-M for consensus (rn), ‘Maoist move will help resolve all major issues’ (ht), Nepal says stir rollback opens door for talks (ht), PM will resign after package deal: Paudel (ht), Entrepreneurs urge PM to resign for consensus (nn), US at one with India, China (kp), Bone of contention: Nepal’s peace process hinges on the successful conclusion of army integration, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), One-point agenda: Make no mistake; the recent Maoist agitation was purely for power, by Dinesh Wagle (kp), Stop Strikes Once And For All (rn), Over a dozen injured in Maitighar scuffle (nn), Maoists provoked situation during Maitighar scuffle: Home Ministry (nn), PM invites Maoists for talks (nn)

08/05/2010: Maoist militant music greets peace marchers (kp), Thousands show up for peace (rn), Peaceful rally organised to pressure parties for forging consensus (rn), Maoists target peace rallies in districts (kp), Daily wage workers tighten belts (kp), General strike off, peaceful protest to go on, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Strike called off, cadres left bewildered, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), NC, UML welcome Maoist move to call off general strike (nn), Dahal gives ruling coalition two days to respond to issues; says 6-day general strike was just a 'trailer' (nn), Ruling parties for package agreement before changing govt (nn), Situation returning to normal throughout the country (nn), Four Maoists hurt in Lekhnath firing (ht), Protesters pounce on peace rallies (ht), Pokhara tense after Maoist assault on peace rally (rn), Doves flock Durbar Square (ht), Singha Durbar on Maoist ‘hit list’ (kp), YCL,YF vow to avert clashes (ht), Hang protests, stick on: NC to PM (kp), OHCHR may stay on for six more months, by Anil Giri (kp), OHCHR frets over political impasse (kp), Anatomy of the general strike: Did the Maoists make a calculation based more on over-optimistic hope than rational calculation?, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), What's the difference? Ranas, Shahs, Congress, Communists, and Maoists--they appear to be the same under different names; there doesn't seem to be any detectable difference, by Jagannath Lamichhane (kp), Star truck, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Govt to beef up security for smooth supply of essentials (rn), Diplomats take initiation to bring conflicting parties together (nn)

07/05/2010: Clashes mar Day-V strike: Dhankuta, Humla, Parbat under curfew (kp), Nation paralysed as Maoist called bandh enters sixth day (nn), Maoist agitators face public fury: Twelve including nine-yr-old hurt; two motorcycles gutted (kp), Defiance against general strike on rise in Valley (ht), Softly, softly: Resentment towards the Maoist strike is increasing in Kathmandu (kp), Locals take to streets defying Maoists’ strike (rn), Peace assembly concludes in Basantapur with thousands praying for lasting peace in the country (nn), Curfew follows clashes in three districts (ht), Curfew re-imposed in Dhankuta, lifted in Kusma, Simikot (nn), UCPN-M decides to resist attacks strongly (rn), Maoists bring more activists from districts (nn), Maoist cadres injured in Lekhnath firing (nn), Maoists take two more hours off at night, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), Unity essential at the earliest, demur envoys, by Anil Giri (kp), Efforts tepid, feel envoys (kp), Envoys meet Maoist leaders (ht), Save peace process from harm: UNMIN to parties (kp), Pushing it: The UN tries to reassert itself in the stalemated peace process, but in vain, by Navin Singh Khadka (kp), PM may quit if Maoists come in legitimate way (rn), Strike cannot be solution: MJF (rn), Stir dries up life-savers’ supply (kp), Maoists riding a tiger: Can’t call off stir, can’t go on, by Akhilesh Upadhyay (kp), Stir pinches Maoist coffers: Daily expenditure tots up to Rs 20 million, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai and Khuman Singh Tamang (kp), Khanal no to retaliation against Maoists (kp), Khanal urges Maoists to be flexible for consensus, Hints at formation of national govt (rn), Khanal calls on parties to extend CA tenure (ht), HYF wrath falls on Maoists, by Shankar Acharya (kp), Maoist leader shows willingness to talk to Indian govt authorities: Wants to convey party chairman’s message of peaceful protests, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Made in India: Talks between Maoist and non-Maoist actors will not succeed unless India changes its position, by Suhas Chakma (kp), War Of Ideologies, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), UCPN-M’s latest bandh gimmick a political misfire, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Plan afoot to impose emergency, says Sadbhavana Party-A Chair Sarita Giri (ht), All for one man: To give in to the Maoist strike is to fundamentally undermine Nepali democracy, by Kanak Mani Dixit (nt) [Without supporting the Maoist banda: Which democracy are you talking about, Kanak? The current PM and other ministers have not been elected by the electorate but they have been rejected!!], Banda tales: Frightening to some, inspiring to others, every protestor has a tale to tell, by Abha Eli Phoboo (nt), Ecology-based provinces: A river basin based federal model will ensure inclusive socio-economic development, by Govinda Das Shrestha (nt), Point proven: Can we please have a deal now?, by Prashant Jha (nt), Govt to deploy troops to ensure smooth supply of consumable items in Kathmandu (nn), Protest strategy will be changed if govt remains unmoved: Bhattarai (nn), UCPN (M) withdraws general strike 'considering public woes and govt conspiracy' (nn)

06/05/2010: Defiance marks Day IV of strike; one killed (ht), Maoist general strike enters Day 5; normal life badly hit; clashes in Birgunj (nn), Security beefed up in Birgunj to avert further clashes between Maoists and Hindu youths (nn), Demos starting to turn nasty: YCL, YF trade charges over Bhaktapur firing (kp), YCL, Youth Force encounter makes Bhaktapur tense (rn), Firing in Bhaktapur (ht), Khanal says UML activists will not defy Maoist bandh (nn), Butwal, Dhankuta tense after clashes (kp), Cop knocks Maoist man to death (kp), Maoists, locals clash in Budhanilkantha; minor injured (nn), Maoists attack Tarun Dal member in Parbat; locals demonstrate against Maoist (nn), General strike turns violent; clashes in various places (nn), Curfew in Dhankuta, Parbat and Simikot following violent clashes (nn), Ruling parties trying to stoke violence during stir: UCPN (Maoist) (nn), YCL claims 'vigilante' groups instigating clashes during Maoist protests (nn), Talks inconclusive, but hopes linger: Will resolve political deadlock soon, says troika (kp), Maoists turn down NC, UML package, by Arjun Bhandari and Prakash Acharya (ht), Maoists rule out calling off general strike (rn), We won’t stop till PM quits, say protesters (ht), The central premise: I will not pose any obstacle to setting of a national unity government, by Madhav Kumar Nepal (ht), UNMIN gets four more months: Mandate remains same (kp), Envoys for consensus, fret for their citizens (kp), Journos attacked (kp), UN to parties: High time for consensus (kp), Nepal’s peace process at stake: UNSG (nn), PM makes a clean breast of it (kp), Matrika backs protest (kp), CPN-M to counter if demos quelled: Matrika (ht), Demonstrators spurn war, bloodshed, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (ht), Thought for food: Under no circumstances can people’s right to decent life be compromised (kp), Maules by the mob: The determination of the Nepali people to practice democracy has been attacked, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), The chattering classes: Proliferating commentators are confusing rather than informing people, by Biswas Baral (kp), Thwarting Another Conflict, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn), No progress with peace: UN Secretary General’s Report (ht), Rights bodies call for end to political impasse (ht), Bandh takes a toll on daily wage earners (ht), Downhill trail (ht), Peace rally to pressurise agitating party, government (ht), Delisi confers with Dr Bhattarai, says parties need to show flexibility (nn), Maoists to allow markets open from 6 pm to 10 pm; transportation of perishable products not to be obstructed (nn), NC-UML meeting goes in vain (nn)

05/05/2010: Vandalism, intimidation in Pokhara, other places (kp), NC, UML tread common turf: See eye to eye on consensus govt through package (kp), We have to go thewhole hog now: UCPN (Maoist), by Kamal Dev Bhattarai and Baburam Kharel (kp), Putting the cart before the horse, by Santosh Pokhrel (kp), General strike hobbles foreign mission offices, by Anil Giti (kp), Grammar of failure: The Big Three see their leadership’s demise in a new Nepal of ethnic equality and social justice through federalism, by Pramod Mishra (kp), The silver lining: The strike has increased the urgency to negotiate (kp), PM Nepal tells diplomats govt ready to take difficult decision to end crisis (nn)

04/05/2010: All placid and hail fellow, well met on Day-II (kp), Multiparty huddle fails to light consensus fire: Only package deal will work: Big Three (kp), Turn likely, for better or worse, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Cabinet leaves UNMIN fate to PM (kp), No time to lose: Waiting for either side to buckle is in the interest of no one (kp), The lure of power: Prime Minister Nepal’s popular reputation seems to be beyond repair, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), The long haul: What Nepal needs is a total transformation of status quoist national institutions, by Anil Bhattarai (kp), The way out: The parties should form a unity government right away if they really love the country, by Lok Raj Baral (kp)

03/05/2010: Peace paeans tinge Day-I demo: Banda 'most disciplined ever' (kp), A strike a day keeps govt babus away (kp), Whee the people: The May Day show of strength was impressive and reminded one of the 2006 agitation, by Shyam K.C. (kp), No slackening until Nepal goes: Bhattarai (kp), Gautam takes fresh jab at harried PM (kp), NRNs press panic button (kp), Men in the middle: How some important actors in the current political scenario assess the Maoist strike and its likely future course (kp), People Should Realise Their Importance In Democracy, by G.K. Pakavath (rn)

02/05/2010: Red show of strength hits Valley life (kp), Dahal cuts indefinite stir ribbon (kp), Maoists stick to guns, talks don’t cut no squares, by Prakash Acharya and Arjun Bhandari (ht), May Day demos sans unrest, confrontation (ht), PM calls Maoist bluff (kp), Nepal turns down Maoist call to resign (ht), Senior UML leaders ask PM Nepal to resign (nn), Strike schedule (kp), Avid ears soak in red rhetoric, by Prashant Jha (kp), 22 parties close ranks with Nepal (kp), Agitation to go on even if PM quits: Bhattarai (kp), Minors in strength show (kp), No respite from flurry of bandas (kp), Landgren for early stand on UNMIN (kp), UNMIN seeks govt stance on its tenure (ht), Sooner the better: If protests intensify, they will get progressively harder to deescalate (kp), Shun Agitations, Mobilise People For Development (rn), Khanal calls for consensus to resolve impasse (nn), Maoist demo disciplined and peaceful: OHCHR (nn), 1st day of Maoist general strike generally peaceful (nn), Student injured in police firing in Chitwan (nn), One policeman injured in Mahendranagar clash (nn), Is it just one man’s ambition or a genuine proletarian revolt?, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Commoners against Maoist strike (ht)

01/05/2010: Crisis looms as maelstrom builds up, by Akhilesh Upadhyay (kp), Writing on the wall (kp), Nepali Army to guard vital installations; Police may open fire in self defence; PM vows not to bow to Maoist threat: More than 15,000 cops to be deployed (ht), Lakhs to take to the capital streets today (ht), Security Council mulls Army mobilisation, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), India rallies behind Nepal-led govt, by Anil Giri (kp), NC, UML stand by PM (kp), CPN-UML throws weight behind PM (ht), Maoists stick to Dahal as PM (kp), Govt must step down, says MJF chief (ht), Big-3 meet out of kilter (kp), Big Three may clinch deal today: Top leaders hope marathon talks will bear fruit, by Prakash Acharya (ht), UNMIN chief fears peace falling to pieces (ht), Peace hobbled: UNMIN (kp), PAPAD asks Maoists to call off strike (ht), WFP forced to halt food supply (kp), Entrepreneurs down shop shutters to evade donation campaign (kp), Maoists strike donation fear into shopkeepers (ht), Valley life goes out of gear (kp), Bodies to monitor rights (kp), Red tide rising: For the Maoist cadre who’ve come to the Capital, physical discomfort doesn’t come in the way of ‘revolution’, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), The noise and the silence: The political leaders need to reach a deal on everything related to power sharing, but the peace process is more than just that, by Manjushree Thapa (kp), Maoist protests spur exodus in far west (ht), Normal life affected due to Maoist demonstrations; Maoists to rally from 18 places in capital (nn), 22-party, HLPM task force meetings underway (nn), EU deeply concerned over lack of progress in peace process (nn), UCPN (M)'s May Day demos conclude peacefully, Dahal describes protests as 'final push'  (nn), PM Nepal addresses the nation; says govt cannot step down in this critical situation (nn)

30/04/2010: Apex court stays CC decision, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Constitutional Council appointments stayed, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Capital drowns in sea of red, by Khuman Singh Tamang and Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Maoists fix mass protest schedule (kp), UML plan to end crisis (kp), At crossroads: The parties have no option but to recommit to the peace process (kp), Three-party meeting inconclusive (nn), Listen you three: Here are a few things the parties should take into account to attain national consensus, by Gopal Khanal (kp), YCL activists on Valley clean-up drive (ht), OHCHR, EU express concern (kp), OHCHR urges restraint from all sides (ht), Manmohan urges Nepal to reconcile with Maoists (kp), Parties must join hands for peace: India, by Chandrashekhar Adhikari (ht), US soldiers here for joint training, by Phanindra Dahal (kp) [????], Profitable positivity: Why do Nepalis love to discuss politics so much but not the economy?, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Jana Andolan II And After, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), The Maoist Showdown, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Uncertainty reigns: Time is slowly but surely running out for the constitution, but the song remains the same, by Dhruba Simkhada (nt), They're here: The coming days will be a tightrope act for both the government and the Maoists, by Prashant Jha (nt), Chanting for consensus: 'Compromise garne' seems a particularly Nepali trait, but our politicians don't understand the meaning of consensus, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), An extended CA and a  Maoist-led government: Results of the nationwide public opinion survey conducted by Himalmedia, by Kunda Dixit (nt), PM Nepal not in a mood to quit (nn), MJF demands PM’s resignation (nn), UML politburo throws weight behind PM Nepal (nn), NC for deploying army, if needed (nn), UCPN (M) to go ahead with its planned protests even if PM resigns (nn), More than half a million people set to hit streets during UCPN-M's May day demo, Bhattarai claims (nn), PM Nepal feels the heat of impending Maoist protests; calls 22 party meeting on Saturday (nn), UNMIN chief intensifies political parleys; meets Maoist, UML chairmen (nn), Post-May 1 situation could endanger peace process: UNMIN (nn), May 28: What Next? Nepal’s geo-political reality overtakes political and constitutional process all the time, by Keshab Poudel (sp)

29/04/2010: UML ready to step down if it helps (kp), Khanal goes the whole nine yards: Says UML paving way for PM’s ouster (kp), Civil society bid for political consensus (kp), Big Three one on national consensus (ht), A ray of hope for the proletariat Three-party debate paves way for fresh initiative to resolve crisis, by Prakash Rimal (ht), Is there any possibility
of consensus after Big Three discourse?, by Hari Roka (ht), NC, UML call on Maoists for talks (ht), Govt tells Army to brace itself, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Cops step up raids, eviction (kp), Govt will maintain law and order at any cost during Maoist protests: Defence Minister (nn), Ruling parties ask govt to take 'all steps' if Maoist stir turns violent (nn), Home Minister turns down Maoist chairman's request for briefing from security chiefs (nn), PLAs across country told to remain on red alert: Combatants asked to cut short leave and return to cantonments (kp), UCPN (M) urges govt not to suppress its 'peaceful protests' (nn), Movement curbs in run-up to May Day protest (ht), 18,801 trained Maoists in Valley (ht), UNMIN: Book PLA errant (kp), Districts tense ahead of Maoist stir (kp), Paras echoes dad’s monarchy view, by Shankar Acharya (kp), US vows help for Nepal Army (kp) [??], SC summons Govt, Army (ht), SC stays CC nominations (nn), The Jelbang 39: The dead from the village of Jelbang in Rolpa offer a portrait of the early supporters of the Maoists, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Possible scenarios: The Maoists may try to capture power if the constitution is not promulgated by May 28, by Prakash A. Raj (kp), No forced donation, Dahal tells cadre (kp), Can we declare politicians incompetent and black-list them?, by Binod Bhattarai (ht), Parties’ mistrust bane of statute-drafting process, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Mayhem On May Day?, by Shyam K.C. (rn), Indian PM suggests PM Nepal to reconcile with Maoists (nn), EU diplomats urge UCPN (M) to withdraw general strike (nn), UN calls for restraint during Maoist protests (nn)

28/04/2010: Stir legwork on war footing (kp), After May Day, renewed war?, by Akhilesh Upadhyay (kp), Scant hopes left for statute, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Logical conclusion of peace process: Is power or peace the ultimate end?, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), EU urges govt to allow freedom to proselytise, by Anil Giri (kp), Worry over UNMIN fate (kp), Of surprises and shams: The media has created a psyche that the Maoists are responsible for every wrong, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Let’s kick ass! It’s time to adopt all innovative non-violent means of showing displeasure at CA members, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Invoking Lenin’s Ghost, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)

27/04/2010: Dahal threatens to launch ‘Jana Andolan III’ (kp), Post-May Day indefinite strike on (ht), Maoists plan to flood capital with people: Each family told to spare one person for stir; move leaves villagers in fear (ht), Exodus of cadres, locals (kp), Bhattarai says Maoist nationwide agitation will be 'peaceful' (nn), Army can be mobilised if Maoist demonstrations go out of control: Govt spokesperson (nn), UCPN-M urged to call off stir (ht), Maoist plans perturb EU envoys (kp), EU envoys meet NC, UML leaders (nn), US: High time to forge consensus (kp), PM won’t bow to Maoist threat: Big Three stick to own stance, fail to achieve any breakthrough, by Prakash Acharya (ht), No headway in Big-3 talks (kp), Dysfunctional HLPM (rn), Newars, indigenous people gherao CA building (nn), Abjure violence, say ruling parties (kp), SC summons PM, CC members: Seeks written replies within a fortnight (kp), SC calls govt, CC for hearing (ht), Ambition and pride: Prachanda would do well to reflect on the lessons from the battle in Khara five years ago, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), CA: Disregarding The Popular Mandate, by Prem Khatry (rn)

26/04/2010: UML aye to new: Ad hoc approach exacerbating their woes power equation, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), Harried PM knuckles under: Tells parties to choose alternative (kp), PM to clear way for consensus figure (rn), Dahal fires salvo at NC, UML (kp), Come to negotiation to end crisis, Khanal tells Maoists (rn), Maoists walking in opposite direction: Nepali Congress, by Prakash Acharya (ht), 13 youth organisations submit memo to PM over lack of consensus (nn), ‘Power grab loose talk’ (kp), Dahal moves SC over CC appointments (kp), Prachanda moves SC on CC move (ht), Riled Maoists shun House over CC picks (kp), Fresh appointments rile Maoists; House stalled (ht), Dr. Bhattarai opposes dissolution of CA (kp), Haste makes waste: It is not advisable to rush the constitution; the CA needs more time, by Shyam K.C. (kp), Future crisis will be political, not constitutional, interview with Nilambar Acharya, Nepali Congress (kp), Police seize over 600 sticks being taken to Kathmandu by Maoists (nn), PM meets security chiefs (nn), Ten ruling parties ask govt to take 'all steps' to maintain security during Maoist stir (nn), Mass movement to topple govt: Kiran (ht), UCPN (M) announce indefinite general strike from May 2 (nn)

25/04/2010: The dreams then, the dismay now, by Akhilesh Upadhyay (kp), People suffer, hopes bleed, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Rayamajhi’s findings gather dust (kp), Ban presses for minors’ reintegration (kp), Ban urges end to involvement of children in conflict (ht), Power-sharing talks intensify (kp), Parties said no to new government: Prachanda (ht), UCPN-Maoist seeks civil society’s help (ht), NC to float CA extension proposal, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Ethnic federalism a political ‘powder keg’ (kp), Democracy In Jeopardy, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Secure Achievements Of Janaandolan II, by Sarala Subedi (rn), Maoists obstruct House over nominations in constitutional bodies (nn)

24/04/2010: CC largesse to UML, NC has Maoists bristling, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), PM rules out dissolving CA sans statute (ht), Maoists threaten nationwide May strike (ht), Govt vows to counter Maoist excesses, by Prakash Acharya (ht), PM pooh-poohs Gautam quit call (kp)

23/04/2010: NC leaders want CA term up by one year (kp), Maoists face NC, UML lawmakers’ ire (ht), Maoists preparing cadres for May Day (ht), Nepali Army put on high alert: Govt braces up for May 1 showdown (ht), Go easy, UNMIN cautions govt (kp), Govt asks Maoists to call off demonstration (nn), Dahal orders cadres to strongly confront 'enemies'; Oli says he will foil Maoists' dream of state capture (nn), Nepal consults legal eagles on CA extension (ht), Lawyers give PM two options (kp), Govt set to foil Maoist plan: Don't be foolhardy, warns Red brass (kp), Enough's enough: The current brinksmanship may have devastating consequences (kp), Move over, pops: The people are sick and tired of the same old party leaders and their same old antics, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), TRC bill in parliament (kp), Path to democracy: Challenges and responses, by Ganga Thapa (ht), PLA integration in constitution writing: The peace process will be unstable until the integration and management of the PLA is complete, by Dhruba Kumar (nt), Blustering reality: Those who dismiss Maoist threats should know they usually do what they say they will , by Prashant Jha (nt), CC recommends names for vacant posts in constitutional bodies (nn) [All male and 71% of them Bahuns! This is no perspective for new Nepal!!]

22/04/2010: Parties spring consensus hope, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Big Three fail to zero in on way out, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Missing maturity (ht), EC says it is ready for fresh elections (nn) [How can it be? There is no legal basis for elections!!], Congress grills poll proponents (kp), Before extending CA term, plan well: NC (ht), SC summons govt, NA in recruitment row (ht), Nowhere to go: The challenge of integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants is enormous, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), The game of chicken, by Post B. Basnet (rep), US concerned about peace process (ht)

21/04/2010: CA term extension fine: Nembang (kp), Pressure piles up for timely statute (kp), Big three to table varied agendas (kp), HLPM meets today after long hiatus (ht), Big three pledge 'package solution' in next HLPM meeting (nn), Dahal obdurate on new government: NC leader for continuing coalition (kp), Goodbye Nepal: A new government is fine, but what guarantee is there that the Maoists will change?, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Bill on disappearance in House (kp), Hail to the chief: Nepal could learn from Pakistan’s decision to curtail president’s power (kp), Dikendra tolls UML's death: His suicide speaks of the morally unsound ethnic makeup of the mainstream parties, by Pramod Mishra (kp), SC summons govt over NA recruitment drive (nn)

20/04/2010: CA show to go on: UML, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), CA tenure extension a must: CPN-UML (ht), PM nay to bowing out (kp), NC, UML conditions unacceptable: Shrestha (rn), ‘Decisive war’ again? (ht), Army intake drive starts: Maoists cry foul, say CPA violated (kp), NA begins enlisting, SC moved, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Consensus central: There is no option to taking politics back to the centre (kp), Killings Documented (rn), ‘Autocratic rule could return’ (ht), HLPM to meet on Wednesday (nn), UML chairman dismisses idea of fresh election (nn) [Why shall there be new elections? The problems are caused by the not elected politicians who call themselves leaders!!], Statute-drafting: Reasons for delay, by Prakash A. Raj (rep), Virtues & vices of New Nepal, by Kul Chandra Gautam (rep)

19/04/2010: Govt may let Army off the hook (kp), Probe panel submits Bardiya killing report (ht), Govt forms ministerial panel to study report on BNP killings (nn), Heat for unity govt heightens (kp), PM's resignation a must for consensus: UCPN (M) (nn), Political blame game continues (kp), Maoist training for ''decisive war'' on (ht), Deadline approaching: UNMIN’s mandate should be reviewed and its role redefined before extending its term, by Geja Sharma Wagle (kp), This CA can issue statute post May 28, interview with Ram Chandra Poudel (kp), NA begins recruitment; calls applications for 271 technical positions (nn), Pun calls fresh recruitment drive in NA a conspiracy to derail peace process (nn)

18/04/2010: NC for polls if CA term ends: Confrontation inevitable then, say Maoists (kp) [Elections already took place in April 2008; new elections are irrational and would be a putsch by those who were rejected in the elections!], Consensus tune gaining currency (kp), Prachanda warns of destabilising govt (kp), UCPN-M, MJF: Term extension meaningless (ht), Shared rule and transition: Meeting May 28 deadline will not change the state of preparations for transition to new federal nation, by Seira Tamang (kp), Total incompetence: Nepali taxpayers are footing the cost of the CA, and they want their money’s worth, by Surendra R. Devkota (kp), Unity on UNMIN mandate, term, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Who Killed Consensual Politics?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Rule Of Law Vs. Rule of Cabinet’s Decision, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

17/04/2010: PM’s plan cuts little ice, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Premier springs 30-day
integration plan surprise: Gets five major parties’stamp of approval, by Prakash Acharya (ht) [But there are only three major parties in Nepal!??], CA engages left, right, centre: Call to let it continue post-May 28 (kp), Maoist no to CA term extension: To talk to other parties in bid to form new govt (kp), No CA extension till Nepal at helm: Prachanda (ht), ‘Royalist’ parties warn against extension (kp)

16/04/2010: Parliament can amend all provisions but two: No backtracking to monarchy, unitary system (ht), No-trust motion not on the cards: Dahal (kp), Prachanda for moving no-trust motion (ht), Maoists decide not to table no-confidence motion against govt fearing political turmoil (nn), Madhes factor in Maoist game plan, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht), Look beyond May 28, PM told (kp), UML, UCPN (M) leaders call for national unity govt (nn), It’s payday for Maoist combatants, finally, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), NA to fill vacant technical posts (kp), Five parties agree on govt proposal to integrate 3000 combatants; Maoists boycott Special Committee meeting (nn), Something’s gotta be done: The Maoist combatants can be used to establish a much-needed border security force, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Bardiya killings: Govt panel hands over report (kp), UML push for CA extension, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), NEFIN call for timely statute (kp), Why countries disintegrate: Both unitary and ‘federal’ countries have broken up around the world, by Mahendra Lawoti (kp), Parties Betray The People, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), A Break For Business: Local community organizes a program to press lawmakers to draft the constitution in time, by Uma Kanta Khanal (sp), Comparing Appeased Peace with Ones Sabotaged, by Dipak Gyawali (sp 16/04/2010)

15/04/2010: Beleaguered PM sets terms for quitting (kp), Crime-busting strategy to make big shots safer (ht), UML iffy on sharing power with Maoists (ht), Four conditions for Maoist-led govt: NC (kp), NC sets riders for change of guard (ht), Big three parties busy in internal meetings (nn), UML chairman Khanal says new constitution on May 28 not possible (nn), Slackness boils blood (kp), Poets recite statute hiccups (kp), Ways of the world: Madhav Nepal and Sujata Koirala, hiding behind the fig-leaf of technicality, donned ministerial mantle, by Deepak Thapa (kp)

14/04/2010: Failure of leadership: Why can’t the constitution be written without changing the government?, by Pramod Mishra (kp), ‘UML ready to sacrifice everything for constitution’  (rn), Nepal refuses to give in to pressure (kp), Nepal scotches resignation talk (ht), Katawal should be put in jail: Pun (kp), Ex-Army Chief Katawal's terrifying overtones! (tg), SC rules out immunity, privileges for President, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Prez move in full bench (kp), Now, Bhandari says incident is serious (kp) [The defence minister justifies the killing of a 12 year old girld and two women by the army because they have constructed huts inside the Bardiya National Park???], Bhandari clarifies before House on Bardiya killing (ht), Unpredictable consequences could be just round the corner, interview with P. Kharel (tg), Rumble in the districts: The YCL attacks on Monday may have been part of a broader Maoist strategy (kp), The Constitution Dream, by Bhimsen Thapaliya (rn), The Blues, by G.K. Pakavath (rn), Limbuwan calls bandh (ht)

13/04/2010: Parleys ‘focus’ on govt exit plan (kp), Maoists in wait and see mood (kp), Maoists conclude recent political developments in favour of their agitation; decide to continue agitation for govt change (nn), Saviour or obstacle? PM muddles thru public opinion: Issue deepens polarisation, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), SC bid for consensus on PLA (kp), The limitations of circumstance: What are the tactical options available to the Maoists if they are to gain greater power after May 28?, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Maoist plan to seize capital, Biratnagar: Cadres receiving army training, by Somnath Bastola (ht) [??], Maoists’ two-pronged strategy (ht), Landmark verdict on Prez move today (ht), SC verdict on President's move likely today (nn), SC Justices divided on President's move (nn)

12/04/2010: Rift in UML continues (kp), Consensus, not govt, a priority: UML (kp), Verbal duel (ht), ‘Bring statute with 8 Loktantrik values’ (kp), Civil society floats 8 values of democracy (ht), Gachhadar fixes eyes on PM chair (kp), UNMIN and peace process: Not properly utilized , by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), No UNMIN, no peace process, interview with Janardan Sharma (kp), Government takes U-turn on MRP: Smart passport deal with India scrapped, Maoists call off bandh, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Top-level meeting on army integration put off (nn)

11/04/2010: UML lawmakers press PM to put in papers, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), Lawmakers vent ire on government, party, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), UML lawmakers divided over govt performance (rn), Rift seems to dog main oppn, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), HLPM in limbo, parties doing precious little, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Civil society activists call for timely statute (nn), MRP saga shows govt's 'absolute loyalty' towards India: Dahal (nn), Political Confusion In Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

10/04/2010: State Restructuring: Snail-paced political parties may be back to square one (kp), NBA submits memorandum for timely constitution (nn), UML PP meet to decide govt fate (kp), UML lawmakers take govt to task (nn)

09/04/2010: Only a miracle can give us statute by May 28, says Acharya (ht), Extend UNMIN stay: House panel (kp), UNMIN to work till integration is over: PM, by Arjun Bhandari (ht),  Khanal sets terms for govt change, by Min Kumar Dahal (ht), Jungle rules: Those guilty of Surkhet killings are unlikely to be brought to justice (kp) [Nepal has never been able to bring the security forces under the rule of law after the process of democratization was started in 1990!!], Dalit body blames Army for Bardiya killing (kp), Army will come out of barracks if there's bloodshed after May 28: Katawal (nn) [??? Thanks god, such decisions are not those of generals, especially not of retired ones who share great responsibility for the current stagnation of peace process!!!], Special Committee to confer with top leaders as it fails to work out army integration model (nn), Cards up his sleeve: Nothing in the constitution bars the president from facilitating the constitutional process, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Mum's the world: Kisunji’s pro-monarchy stance gives a lie to his saint-like image, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Maoists call Nepal bandh on April 12 (ht)

08/04/2010: Wait and watch: OHCHR’s exit as Nepal enters a phase of instability will be a blunder (kp), UN bodies should stay: UN bodies’ untimely exit from Nepal will make the peace process more susceptible to manipulation and will increase both India and China’s opaque influence, by John Narayan Parajuli (kp)

07/04/2010: Hopes for timely statute fading fast, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Parliament can extend CA term, says visiting SAfrican justice, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Don't do it: The 2006 Jana Andolan showed that attempts to suppress dissent backfire (kp), Nationwide Maoist rallies mark big day: jana andolan anniv (kp), Dahal declares decisive movement (kp), Stir to topple puppet govt on: Prachanda (ht), Bhattarai hints UCPN (M) may choose Dahal's alternative as 'next PM' (nn), UML chairman hints at govt change (nn) [The claim to change the government after the promulgation of the new constitution is absolute nonsense since this may take a very long time!!], Doubts over timely statute continue to deepen, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Federalism can be a useful tool to unite Nepal, interview with Rishikeshab Raj Regmi (tg), Nepal's Indigenous Peoples' Movement, by Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan (tg) [see part 2 (14/04/2010)], Nepal Maoists will not only want the whole Cake but entire Bakery, interview with Ananda Shrestha (tg), Born again Hindus: Religion is counterproductive when it becomes political and tries to dominate people of other faiths, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Parties, outfits come under US report fire (ht), House panel finds NA responsible for Bardiya killing (nn) [Is this the holy army that is afraid to be spoilt by former Maoist combatants??]

06/04/2010: CC begins debate on minorities' rights (ht), Witch-hunt in CPN-UML: Signature campaigners to face action, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), NSP-A pulls out of govt (kp), Govt is a failure: Minister Mahato (nn), Blow to govt as NSP warns to put boot in (kp), PM should resign, says Upendra Yadav (ht), Maoists announce start of fourth phase struggle (nn), Arm twisting: The government continues to work towards its overriding goal of destroying the Maoists’ sources of power, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Three's a crowd: The NC must dump the troika system of leadership that it seems to be promoting, by Bihari Krishna Shrestha (kp)

05/04/2010: Maoist chief ups the ante on Nepal: No-trust motion if PM doesn’t go (kp), Khanal-Nepal rift widens (kp), NC reps for change in govt, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), MJF says PM Nepal must resign immediately (nn), Mahato to quit if Madhesh ignored (ht), Top leaders hold 'crucial' meeting with president (ht), No headway in rehabilitation plans (kp), PLA integration panel meet comes a cropper (ht), CPA cannot be interpreted to make the state defunct, interview with Pradeep Gyawali (kp), Nepal clears half the minefields laid during war (kp), Muslims call for inclusive statute (kp)

04/04/2010: PM manages to buy more time, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), Leaders divided on need to replace present government (nn), Maoists propose three alternatives on army integration (nn) PLAs living with uncertainty: Some are in favour of waging a final war, by Mohan Budhair (kp), Good as it gets: How the discharge of disqualified ex-combatants was carried out, by Niranjan Uprety (kp), Wrong number: The Dalits should act now so that they are not undercounted again in the next census, by Amar B.K. (kp), Conflict Between Pro And Anti Federalists, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), 'No way back from federalism, secularism' (ht), Maoist ethnic group forms paramilitary wing (nn), Moral Hazard Of Prime Minister And Ministers, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

03/042010: Inclusiveness panel collecting public views (ht), HLPM fails to decide on federal panel; Tenure of Constituent Assembly may be extended: Nepal, by Prakash Acharya (ht), HLPM meet inconclusive as top leaders differ on (rn), I won’t quit before peace bid ends: PM (rn), UK for early CA extension: Asks parties to deliver democratic statute (kp), Whose nation is it? Constitutional loopholes have made it easy for criminals to get Nepali citizenship, while those who deserve it are left out, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Justice Delayed, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn)

02/04/2010: Go-ahead for Army intake (kp), NA begins recruitment (nn), PLA spells golden handshake terms (kp), Maoists demand Rs 2 million per head for combatants to pull out from integration (nn), Lies and more lies (kp), Parties put PM in do or die situation (kp), PM says he is not resigning; trashes media reports on possible govt change (nn), Big three fail to reach consensus on SRC (nn), Subtle maneuver (ht), Politics after GP Koirala: As Before, by Keshab Poudel (sp), Ripe for revolution: Many critical attributes necessary for a revolution are present in present Nepali society, by Mathbar Kumar Adhikary (kp), Go to extra time: Writing a new constitution is no easy task, and if the CA needs more time, so be it, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), PLA And The Peace Process, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Imminent danger: Already vexed by frequent bandhs and strikes, the eastern districts are worried about the delay in constitution writing and its consequences, by Dambar K. Shrestha (nt), A call to politics: Until good people are encouraged to join politics, we will get nothing out of it but filth and frustration, by Rabindra Mishra (nt), Constitutional conundrums: Everyone knows the best way out, but no one is willing to admit to it publicly, by Prashant Jha (nt)

01/04/2010: HLPM flays attacks on historic achievements (kp), President Yadav terms former King Shah’s and former Prime Minister Bhattarai's statements 'out-dated medicine' (nn), Monarchy’s obsolete: Prez (kp), Big III vow to pen statute on time, by Prakash Acharya (ht), State restructuring: Big Three at one to form commission (kp), Fringe parties for extending CA tenure (ht), Speech wary (ht), People's war not yet over says Dr. Bhattarai (ht), UK to Dahal: Shun party-led violence, by Anil Giri (kp), Last bid to save govt (kp), NHRC holds NA accountable for Bardiya killing (nn)

31/03/2010: Ten youth organisations demand action against former King (nn), Step down: UML to PM, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), Prachanda pledges to ensure peace (ht), Now you're talking: The Maoists’ flexible negotiating position is a welcome surprise (kp), Maoists to float unity govt bid at HLPM (kp), PM Nepal consulting leaders of ruling Madhes-based parties today (nn), Assertion of new identities: Challenging dimensions, by Mukti Rijal (ht), KJWP calls off bandh (ht), SC verdict on Katwal row soon (ht), Envoys-PM talks: ‘Make progress on peace or let UNMIN go’ (kp), UNMINs extension implausible (ht), Maoist leader objects to new recruitment in NA (nn), A shot in the arm for marginalised (kp)

30/03/2010: ‘Religous right trying to revive the monarchy’, by Anil Giri (kp), Maoists claim, 'reactionaries' active against timely constitution and peace (nn), Minister warns ex-king of action (kp), Kishunji’s New Tune (rn), Search for ace (ht), Parties mull over rainbow coalition (kp), Any option OK for peace: Khanal (ht), NC, TMDP agree to take UCPN-M into confidence (ht), PM reaches out to fringe parties (kp), PM continues parleys (nn), Issues of national import bigger than PM's post: Nepal (ht), KJWP against carving out states on ethnic lines (ht), Disqualified ‘disgruntled’ with United Nations, by Hanindra Dahal and Dipendra Baduwal (kp), First as tragedy: The dispute at the Institute of Medicine is a clear example of the damaging impact of excessive political mobilisation on institutions of learning, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), HLPM meeting put off (nn), Diplomats for new statute by May 28 (nn), Third CA committee submits its report (nn)

28/03/2010: People curious about May 28 deadline of statute (rn), NC, UCPN-M discuss current political situation, Dialogue zeroes in on timely promulgation of statute (rn), Maoist-NC meet ends on positive note (ht), 'HLPM leadership should be based on consensus' (rn), PM starts consultation on latest political scenario with leaders of fringe parties (nn), Time For Parties To Come Together, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), K. P. Bhattarai says statute will not be ready by May 28 deadline (nn) [His absurd suggestion to revive the 1990 constitution would mean the end of republican Nepal and the reinstallation of monarchy, in other words: the opposite of what the people have demanded during the peoples' movement of 2006!!], Hindu State Remarks: Dahal berates ex-BJP chief (kp), AISC instructs technical committee to prepare proposal for integration, rehabilitation of Maoist combatants (nn), State protecting criminals: Maoists (ht), Call for new ministry on inclusion (kp), Getting their way: No constitution gains legality without the sanction of the people, by Laxman Tharu, Yogendra Tharu and Shakun Sherchad Leslie (kp)

27/03/2010: State Restructuring Commission (rn), Next HLPM meet to decide on coordinator (ht), PM not invited to HLPM (kp), Peace process in peril: Chemjong (rn), OHCHR may get extn.: Will have a reduced mandate (kp), War victims await justice, by Janak Nepal (kp)

26/03/2010: Panel urgently seeks reports from parties (ht), Pick up pace or miss the bus: Acharya (kp), CA vice chair against brief constitution (nn) [A brief constitution means nothing!!], Prakash hits out at ex-king (ht), PM pooh-poohs deposed king (kp), PM objects to former monarch’s expression, Maoist vice chair warns of action against ex-king (rn), You are in error: Gyanendra thinks the changes are illegitimate; he is wrong, once again (kp), UCPN (M) calls for unity to counter 'royalist conspiracy' (nn) [Gyanendra Shahs behaviour means a danger for crisis solution! He should be asked to leave the country since his current status does not work! The media should no longer show any interest in his public appearances!], NC, UML agree to form state re-do panel (ht), NC-UML agree to form commission (kp), Unanswered questions: What did Koirala mean when he said the UNSG didn’t know Nepal’s ground realities?, by Navin Singh Khadka (kp), CA extension: Continuity of the existing CA will be crucial to write the new constitution, by Radheshyam Adhikari (nt), HLPM fails to settle leadership row (nn) [There are three parties and one of them has more MPs than the others together! Where is the problem??], Mass Exodus Of Hill Origin People From Terai Continues, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)

25/03/2010: Unfinished business: Koirala should have lived to clean up the mess he created, by Bipin Adhikari (kp) Who will carry GPK’s mantle? Big three vie for Chair; void at HLPM, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Maoists lay claim on HLPM leadership (kp), Consultation on statute resumes (kp), NC, UML agree to form state restructuring commission (nn) [What does this mean against the background that the CPN (Maoist) alone has more members in the CA than these two parties together??], Govt will not stop salaries of Maoist combatants (rn)

24/03/2010: UCPN-M signs UN declaration on fighters discharge (ht), Maoists sign final discharge for disqualified (kp), Nepali Congress in Rodins Thinker mode, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Congress after Koirala: Nepal’s oldest party can be revived by the triumvirate of Deuba, Koirala and Poudel, by Achyut Wagle (kp) [None of them has the charisma and vision to be a future leader of the NC!!], G.P. Koirala's legacy:  Koirala had filled the biggest shoes in contemporary Nepali politics, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Dalit body to train youths for revolt, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), Call to put an end to discrimination of all forms in new constitution (ht), Slow peace, statute concern P5 envoys: Graceful UNMIN exit sought, by Anil Giri (kp), NC preparing to claim HLPM leadership (rn) [There is neither reason nor legitimacy for this claim!!], NC, UCPN (M) stake claim over HLPM leadership (nn), New constitution impossible before integration of Maoist combatants: Peace minister (nn)

23/03/2010: Banda for Hindu State: Mid, Far-West hit (kp) [Republican Nepal must be aware of such militant fundamentalist developments!!], Bandh hits life in West (ht), Looking glass (ht), Wait and watch: It's too early to judge Koirala’s legacy (kp), Dark clouds: Unless efforts are made, GPK’s absence may mean damage and possibly disaster for the peace process, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Down memory lane: Girija Babu has left us many legacies, not all of them we would like to cherish, by Anil Bhattarai (kp), A versatile character: He was a father figure not just to Nepalis; foreign dignitaries saw him the same way, by Aditya Baral (kp), The search for consensus: Maoists can be brought to the mainstream, by Girija Prasad Koirala (kp) [a speech of June 30, 2005], Consensus: The True Homage To Koirala, by Laxman Datt Pant (rn), Time to act cautiously, interview with Sujata Koirala (kp), HLPM leadership future on debate, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht)

22/03/2010: Nation bids farewell to GP Koirala, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), An eye-moistening sendoff (ht), Koirala accorded full state honours (kp), Nation offers its last salute, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ht), Hard truth, by Santosh Kalwar (kp), With heavy hearts, they said ‘adios, GPK’ (kp), Girijababu’s death is an irreparable loss, by Puranjan Acharya (kp), House in disorder: With all his recent success, Koirala leaves NC in a mess (kp), Who next at NC helm?, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Learning to move (ht), Politics sans principles: Koirala’s theme of ‘complete democracy’: never materialised at the party level, by Surendra R. Devkota (kp), The legacy of GKP: He showed that it was possible for politicians to see the bigger picture and work towards it, by Shishir Lakhey (kp), Hindu fundamentalists shut mid, far-western regions demanding Hindu kingdom (nn), Democracy and secularism The import of secularism, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht)

21/03/2010: A Towering Koirala no more, by Anil Giri (kp), Tower of Nepali politics crumples (ht), The light is out: Koirala took the first steps towards integration of Nepal with the global economy, by Shanker Man Singh (kp), A life of turbulence: G.P. Koirala’s last two decades symbolised — and not to a small degree was responsible for — the vicissitudes of Nepali politics in the democratic era, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Leaving a void: Evolution of the communist-baiter into an indispensable negotiator was remarkable (kp), Dreams of our motherland (ht), A True Calling for Politics, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Nation in grief as Koirala passes away, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), Nation mourning in demise of freedom fighter, by Liladhar Upadhyaya (rn), Hometown mourns loss of its son (kp), Dahal reminisces Koirala (kp), Int’l community expresses condolence (kp), An irreparable loss: Political parties (kp), After Koirala, what next?, by Prakash Rimal (ht), The frontier beckons: With the integration issue in stalemate, creating a border security force may be apt, by Nishchal N. Pandey (kp), Challenging Federalism (rn), UCPN-Maoist And Rumours Of No-confidence Motion, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), UML secy says extension of CA tenure possible (ht), Rise And Fall Of Regressive Forces, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

20/03/2010: A legacy ends with the death of Girija Prasad Koirala (nn), A history ends with the death of Girija Prasad Koirala, by Indra Adhikari (nn), Girija Prasad Koirala is no more (nn), Girija Prasad Koirala is no more; nation in shock (nn), Koirala no more: NC, by Kiran Chapagian and Thira L. Bhusal (rep), Koirala's last rites on Sunday (nn), Indian PM sends condolence on Koirala's death (nn 20/03/2010), Khanal sets conditions to Maoists (rn), National consensus must: Yadav (rn), Tongue-lashing goes unabated (kp), Dahal repeats revolt threat: Says youths should take to streets (ht), CMDP concludes 100-hour sit-in protest (ht), PAPAD seeks Presidents role in constitution-drafting process (ht)

19/03/2010: Dahal asks Nepal to resign; PM: Prove majority in House (kp), You, sir, are inept: Without any guiding policy, the nation’s ministries lie in total disarray (kp), No-trust move: The Maoist Dilemma, by Saroj Dahal (sp), Maoists explore unity govt possibility (ht), NC, UML fail to find consensus, cabinet meeting uncertain (nn), Credibility sought in rights report (kp), Grim rights situation: UK (kp), UK report slams rights abuses in Nepal (ht) [see the report where Nepal is mentioned only shortly], Govt to send proposal to OHCHR-Nepal: Term extension and mandate, by Anil Giri (kp), Camouflage fatigue: With the media and civil society distracted, the army has escaped scrutiny of late, by CK Lal (nt), Ethnic politics: Beneficiaries of the mono-ethnic state are upset by the change into a poly-ethnic polity, by Mahendra Lawoti (kp), Joining janjati issues: Birds of a feather flock together, but there are status quoist, moderate and resolute Janjatis, by Sabitra Dura (nt), Nationwide Debate Needed On Federalism, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Student group shuts down nine eastern districts (nn), Maoists expel Brahman and Chhettri members from their Limbuwan committee (nn), Nobody has asked you: It is unfortunate that the Chief of Army Staff has been making political statements, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Maoist insecurity: Tarai Maoists are seeking police protection as attacks on their leaders and cadres rise, by Rameshwor Bohara (nt), Crumbling state: Who's to blame for lawlessness in the Tarai? Everyone, if you listen to everyone, by Prashant Jha (nt), Déjà vu Politics of Tragedies, Farce and Impunity, by Dipak Gyawali (sp)

18/03/2010: NC, UML haggle over plum posts (kp), Cabinet meeting cancelled as NC, UML lock horns over MRP contract, governor appointment (nn), Prachanda pledges fresh move for new constitution (rn), Maoists urge fringe parties to support its endeavour to form new govt (nn), PM Nepal, Dahal hold discussion to end political crisis (nn), Only ID-bearing combatants will be paid, says Pokharel (rn), Ending The Crisis (rn), State balm for war wounds: IDs to ease injured’s access to state facilities, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Rights and wrongs: The Army should cooperate with civilian authorities on Bardiya killings (kp), Court ruling to compensate Post journo Dhungana (kp) [Compensation alone is not enought: Those who were responsible for the numerous crimes under the royal regime have to be punished!!], Missing the point: Calls to restore Hinduism as the state religion serves the interests of those seeking to restore monarchy, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Alliance formed against federalism (nn) [All those who oppose federalism are against inclusion, participation, decentralization, equality, modernization, development and the rule of law!!], UNMIN comes under stinging attack again (ht)

17/03/2010: Donors tighten purse strings: Peace building grant (kp), UK to provide Rs 550m to support peace process in Nepal (nn), Maoists mulling over special House-session (rn), Maoists unsure on no-trust vote, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), No-trust motion: Polarisation in Maoist party, by Khuman Singh Tamang (kp), All party meet zeroes in on statute drafting (rn), CA meet ends in 5 minutes (ht), Out of our pockets: Profligate politicians undermine people’s faith in democratic institutions (kp), Writers and guerrillas: The Indian Maoists have proposed three writers to mediate talks with the government, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Jungle raj: What a transformation these past few years have wrought on the nature of the Nepali people!, by Pramod Mishra (kp), ‘Guarantee citizenship rights in new statute’ (rn), Experts rule out Hindu state (ht), Maoist chairman meets President Yadav (nn)

16/03/2010: Maoists for vote to finalise constitution, by Anil Giri (kp), Maoists decide to call for special session; undecided about no confidence motion (nn), No confidence vote will invite instability: Home minister (nn) [Instability exists for long, it cannot be invited!!], Big three principally agree for state restructuring body (rn), Bhattarai takes potshot at CoAS (kp), Political leadership and change: Demands as reflection of political awareness, by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Missed opportunity: Pascoe's visit has created more controversy than helped to resolve the issue at hand, by Sridhar K. Khatri (kp) [see also part 2 (17/03/2010)], Maoists to go for revolt: Prachanda (ht), Nepali Army delays investigation on Major Basnets case (ht), PM confers with leaders of 22 parties, says combatants' integration won't start unless their number becomes clear (nn)

15/03/2010: Maoists roll up sleeves for no-trust resolution (kp), 'UCPN (M) not preparing to file no-confidence motion' (nn), Who voted for you: A nationwide opinion poll reveals a vivid picture of the support base of the Maoists, by Sudhindra Sharma and Bal Krishna Khadka (kp), Not one rights violator has been prosecuted, interview with Wilder Tayler (kp), Bandh hits life hard (rn), Compensation recommended (rn), Big three resume dialogue (nn), HLPM meet ends; no solution in sight on contentious issues (nn), Rightists pouring money to divide Maoist party: Dahal (nn)

14/03/2010: CoAS rules out mass merger (ht), Army chief finds willing ally in PM: integration debate hots up, by Makar Shrestha (kp), Army chief remarks breach CPA: UCPN-M (ht), Maoist spadework for new govt (kp), Maoists preparing to float no confidence motion against govt (nn), Khanal denies whiff of Maoist motion plan (ht), ‘Ready to quit govt’ (kp), PM appreciates Maoists no-confidence motion plan (ht), Nepal bid to rally support, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), Maoist terror tag not to go yet: US (ht) [??], Nembang’s appeal to footloose leaders: Stay put, focus on statute (kp), Youths, civil society activists intensify pressure for timely statute (nn), Copping it: Political meddling in Nepal Police has jeopardised law and order (kp), The baby and the bathwater: It’s the Maoists who changed old-style politics and brought a breath of fresh air to the musty halls of power, by Sushma Joshi (kp), ‘If’ And ‘But’ Smack Statute Writing, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), VP Jha believes Nepal can trash secularism to be a Hindu state (nn) [You have to safeguard the interim constitution that prescribes 'secularism'! Please resign once and for all!!], Minister appeases Khas community, says concerns will be heard (ht)

13/03/2010: US report damns impunity in Nepal: Human rights violations (kp), Unlawful use of force, arbitrary arrests continuing in Nepal: US (rn), US report paints grim picture of rights situation (ht), Army chief Gurung rejects 'bulk integration' of Maoist combatants (nn), NA chief spells out policy: Dump ideological baggage to join Army’ , by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Maoists object to army chief's statement (nn), ‘Soldiers raped, killed 3’ (kp) [This is the 'clean' army that has been responsible for the disappearance of at leat 1000 persons after November 2001 and that now wants to dictate the political rules of PLA integration! End impunity generally and immediately!!], Next JMCC meet may resolve issues: Pascoe (kp), Prachanda agreed to share data on combatants: Pascoe (ht), Remains of a war: The discharge process may be over, but for the Maoist ex-combatants, the prospects of a better life look bleak, by Durgalal K.C. (kp), ‘Road to federalism may be risky’ (kp) [??], Doubt Over Timely Statute (rn), Unified CPN (Maoist) hints at vote of no confidence (nn), Maoist to table no-trust motion against govt (ht), Women groups press for gender-sensitive statute (ht)

12/03/2010: US govt report paints dismal picture of human rights situation in Nepal (nn) [see report], Nepal's peace process: UNMIN, contrary to popular misconception, has been given no mandate or capacity to police the cantonments, by B. Lynn Pascoe (kp), A slide back to war likely: Pascoe (ht), ‘Words against UNMIN cheap shots, boring’ (kp), UNMIN's role not fair, leaders claim (nn), Undermining UNMIN: Government should know better than to blame UNMIN for sticking to agreements it signed itself, by Prashant Jha (nt), Fighter's number row: Govt seeks civil society’s help (kp), Govt will get info on Maoist combatants 'at any cost': Minister Pokharel (nn) [??], 'Complications' barring govt from paying fighters (ht), Panel suggests empowering MoD, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ht), Nemwang doubts over timely draft of statute (rn), Timely Constitution An Uphill Task, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Never too late? If the political parties act on their commitment to resolve contentious issues, Nepal can still have a new constitution on time, by Dewan Rai (nt), Lessons from history: Many revolutions have produced very good literature but very bad constitutions, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Show them out: A fresh caretaker government led by a non-controversial person should be formed, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Tharu, MJF roar for fresh stirs: ‘CA panel draft a ploy’ (kp), MJF, Tharus ready with protest programmes (ht), Federalism on ethnic line not to split nation: Serma (rn), Brave new world: Disqualified combatants, and those compelled to leave for other reasons, find the new Nepal they were promised looks very similar to the one they left behind (nt), Maoists demur CC chair move (ht)

11/03/2010: Civil Society’s Campaign For Constitution (rn), Outline Of PLA Integration, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), Kantipur director gets death threat (kp), Ansari puts in papers (kp), State Minister for Home Ansari resigns (rn), Pascoe turns the screw on political parties; claims UNMIN being blamed to hide their own failures (nn), Pascoe urges parties to find consensus (kp), UN for early end of peace process (rn), The constitution first: PM Nepal’s refusal to admit his failure is dragging this country close to a crisis, by John Narayan Parajuli (kp), Tharu organisations join forces against proposal for two-province Terai (nn), Ex-minister joins Maoist party praising its work to uplift Dalits (nn)

10/03/2010: CA timeline 30+50 days now: ‘No statute without national unity govt’ (kp), CC precondition for statute draft progress, by Prakash Rimal and Prakash Acharya (ht), Clarity missing (ht), ‘New-gen’ in CA rise for timely statute (kp), Civil society presses for constitution (kp), You can't fool me: The proposal to promulgate a skeleton constitution is problematic (kp), UML leader doubts over timely statute (rn), Bhattarai warns of ‘severe confrontation’ (rn), Concern Over Constitution (rn), Time's a-wastin': The people want a new constitution, but the parties are obsessed with grabbing power, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Indigenous nationalities list: 85 groups make it, three delisted, by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (kp), Brahmans, Chhetris oppose new list of indigenous nationalities (nn), Tamsaling announces stir (ht), Janamorcha begins e-voting on federalism (ht), Banda, violence and grocery: Maoist violence opened the floodgates for other types of violence in Nepal, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Walk the talk: The parties should help UNMIN finish its task early so that it can leave early, by Rebanta Bahadur K.C. (kp), Media safety not my job: Pokharel (kp) [Then please resign immediately!!!]

09/03/2010: Next 30 days for first draft (kp), Ex-king at ritual for Hindu state (kp) [Monarchy still means a great danger for Nepal's necessary change to an inclusive secular state!!], Brahmins demand Hindu state (ht), UK piles pressure on rights front (kp), Governmental malaise: The public security crisis is but a symptom of the ineffectuality and paralysis of the government, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Another surprising revelation in light: Rawal, IGP tried to suppress gang-rape case: Investigation, by D.R. Pant (kp), Media itself to blame for increasing number of attacks: Information Minister (nn) [??], New Nepal: Liberty versus tyranny, by Ashim Bhattarai (rep), 'Concise statute unacceptable to Maoists' (nn), Revolt inevitable, says Prachanda (ht), Civil society rallies for timely statute (nn), Democracy is sublime: Freedom is greater than bread, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), ICJ urges justice for war victims (ht)

08/03/2010: Nembang proposes shortcut to statute (kp), If the CA goes, so will the President, interview with Purna Man Shakya (kp), Federalism no solution: UML leaders (kp) [??? Preventing federalism is the best way to preserve Bahunbad, Tagadhari dominance and the exclusive system of the past!!], CPN-UML leaders divided over state restructuring (rn), ‘15,000 must be integrated’: Maoists claim GPK agreed on number (kp), Ten parties: No Maoist-led govt (kp), UML officially decides not to recall home minister Rawal from govt (nn), 'Brief statute' possible: Nembang (ht), Nemwang hints CA may go for 'concise statute' (nn), People will not accept a 'concise statute': K.C. (nn), Gachhadar flays UNMIN, says no more tenure extension, by Somnath Bastola (ht), Fighters' perks to resume 'soon' (ht), Khas Kshetri society announces stir plan (ht), Dalit weds Shrestha girl, faces ostracism (ht), Activists demand rights in new constitution (ht 08/03/2010)

07/03/2010: Constitutional Committee calls emergency meeting (nn), Deputy blames Rawal (kp), Ansari flays Rawal, terms him a failure (kp), Govt giving criminals royal treatment: MJF (kp), Journalists being killed under aegis of state: MJF chair (nn), UML CC members tag Rawal a failure (ht), UN high official arriving (kp), 'UNMIN dragged into controversy to stall peace' (ht), UNMIN's continous stay in Nepal vital for peace, Bhattarai believes (nn), Integration as per weapons' number: DPM, by Shekhar Regmi (ht), Leadership Lacking In Commitment (rn), Give them a push: Lethargic and aimless, the parties and civil society both are losing their legitimacy, by Sumit Sharma Sameer (kp), Political Parties Are Giving Less, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Bhattarai warns of people’s war (kp), Young couple get death threats for inter-caste marriage (nn) [Nepal does not need another argument to end Bahunbad!!]

06/03/2010: CC members object report for missing debates (ht), Prachanda wants statute, integration together (rn), Dahal stresses for leftists unity (ht), National govt possible if Maoists show commitment to peace process: Khanal (nn), Security worsening in eastern region, by Ratna Prasad Acharya (ht), Problems within police causing insecurity: PM (rn), NC, UML for filling statutory bodies (ht), Bhandari accuses UNMIN of biases (ht), Magar front launches struggle against federalism opponents (ht)

05/03/2010: Journalist body demands PM's resignation (nn), The State Restructuring Commission should be open to political consultation (kp), ‘No integration, no constitution’, by Prem Nepali (kp), PLA chief rubbishes govt suspicion; claims only 50-55 PLA combatants absent from cantonments (nn), The reason why: Voters reveal who they voted for and why in the CA elections in a public opinion poll, by Sudhindra Sharma and Bal Krishna Khadka (kp), Get up, stand up: Civil society was great during Jana Andolan II, where is it now when it is most needed?, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Provinces based on development regions, by Durga Prasad Poudyal (nt) [Nepal Research strongly objects the author's views; only a Bahun can claim that the current system of 5 Development Regions works!!], What really matters? An inability to stick to priorities is the sticking point for Nepal, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), Senior UN official to visit Nepal (nn), Low public trust, but govt can stay, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), 'Jatiya Agradhikar' :Civil and political rights test, by Mukti Rijal (ht), Get it moving (ht), CA submits report to CC before burying the hatchet (ht), Dangerous Games, by Sushil Sharma and Saroj Dahal (sp)

04/03/2010: Big Two run for new govt bid (kp), Special security plan to be bolstered, 58 killed since the scheme came into force (rn), Govt pledges to review Special Security Plan (ht), Government to review Special Security Plan (kp), Cabinet to identify, plug security lapses (ht), 'Inactive army' has led to deteriorating security situation in the country: Govt spokesperson (nn), Deep concern over killings: EU (kp), EU says it was deeply disturbed by deaths (ht), I won't resign: Home Minister (nn), Degrees of freedom: The need to examine old biases could not be greater, by Biswas Baral (kp), Parties divided over jurisdiction of state restructuring panel (rn), Big Three's views on SRC's ToR conflicting, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), HLPM still inconclusive (kp), Govt objects to UNMIN’s denial of PLA details (rn), Govt miffed with UNMIN for not providing combatant information (nn), Defence Minister faults UNMIN on supervision, by Raj Kumar Parajuli (ht), UNMIN 'positive' about sharing info on PLA combatants, but won't reveal actual number (nn), Defense Minister Bhandari wants Maoist combatants re-verified, criticizes UNMIN (nn), Bhattarai pitches for 'wholesale integration' (nn), Dhading tense following clashes between NC activists, YCL (nn), Calling for a people's history: The greatest failure of Prithvi Narayan was in not being able to build a nation out of the state, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Drafting the constitution: Come together, by Ramchandra Ghimire (ht)

03/03/2010: Law and disorder: The Prime Minister must buckle up or quit (kp), Civil society in a state of shock; Media community: We’re insecure (kp), Media community on warpath over growing insecurity (nn), Questions on security the day after: CDO manhandled, Janakpur closed down (kp), Lawmakers flay govt (kp), Where’s security? (ht), Govt's laxity on peace and security (ht), Govt may resort to 'special security plan' (nn), HLPM makes little headway (kp), HLPM fails to decide on state restructuring commission (nn), Khanal discusses govt's alternative with Maoist supremo (nn), Oli says UML willing to support Maoists if latter behaves (nn), Put 10,000 combatants in NA: Maoists (ht), Integration technical panel term extended (ht), Indian lessons in federalism: Nepal cannot copy the Indian model of state allocation in the name of ethnicity, language and culture, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Furnish details on arms import: SAC tells PM (ht)

02/03/2010: Rising impunity could impact peace process (kp), OHCHR fate uncertain, by Anil Giri (kp), ‘Five conditions for Maoists to join govt’ (kp), NA suggests govt to recount Maoist combatants before integration (nn), NC, UML meet on key issues ahead of Godavari conclave, by Arhun Bhandari (ht), HLPM finally begins serious debate (nn), The creation of space: There is an ideological vacuum waiting to be filled on the right of Nepali politics, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Democratic discussions: Public dialogue requires openness, a sense of equality and a celebration of difference, by Anil Bhattarai (kp), Burdens of contemporary constitutions: A genealogy, by Anuj Mishra (ht), Threats from Maoist cadres make life difficult for NC, UML district activists (nn)

01/03/2010: Enshrine our rights in new constitution (kp), CA calendar likely to be amended for tenth time (rn), CA members’ visit put off (kp), The hundred-day deadline has just passed for the promulgation of Nepal’s long-awaited new constitution, by Bipin Adhikari (Himal Southasian), Constitution is unlikely to be completed on time, interview with Ram Sharan Mahat, Nepali Congress (kp), New govt HLPM agenda, by Bhadra Sharma (kp), NWPP pulls out of ruling coalition (ht), View from the cantonment, by Kiyoko Ogura (Himala Southasian), Gifts galore: The UN-prepared farewell package for disqualified Maoist combatants is excellent, by Kul Chandra Gautam (kp), Nepal warned on financial crimes: money laundering & terrorism financing, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp)

28/02/2010: Ray of hope for peace, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Home cooking: Opaque workings of political parties make their commitments a suspect (kp), Peace minister slams UNMIN for non-cooperation (ht), Maoists' people's court issues dire threats against 7, by Kishor Budhathoki (ht), Fix commissions’ number: CA panel (kp), Modernising The Parties, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Controversy Over Arms Import, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

27/02/2010: UML parleys for unity govt (kp), HLPM taking initiative for Maoist-led govt, claims Dahal (nn), Country needs ‘last revolt’ (kp), 'Statute awaits final people's revolt' (ht), Challenges To Writing The Constitution, by Raj Kumar Siwakoti (rn), 'UML against ethnicity-based federalism' (nn), Brahmin samaj stage rally (ht) [So far, the state has been based on one ethnicity; it must become a multi-ethnic state if Nepal shall have a future!!], Rift between govt, UNMIN widens, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ht), Nidhi rules out timely constitution, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

26/02/2010: 2 day sit-in for constitution (kp), Civil society activists begin 48-hour sit-in (ht), Impunity watch: Nepal urged to enter ICC, by Anil Giri (kp), Home truths: The poor security situation reflects the general state of the government (kp), Democratisation of the army: Everyone is talking about democratising the armed forces, but what does it mean?, by Geja Sharma Wagle (kp), Consult Maoists: UN to Chemjong (kp), Marathon HLPM meeting next week (kp), Demand for state re-do panel stalls HLPM meet (ht), Major parties commit to end bandh, strikes (rn), The business of banda: From Shivaratri to stock markets, by Artha Beed (nt), Key parties for package deal on statute writing, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), Optimistic, but only if there is a political consensus, interview with CA Chairman Subash Nembang (nt), Maoist chairman again talks of revolt (nn), Limbuwan groups come together, Khambuwans fail, by Bharat Ingnam and Ratna Prasad Charya (ht), 'Locals equate federalism with decentralisation' (ht)

25/02/2010: Civil society launches 48-hr dharna for timely constitution (nn), Get to work, you bums: The parties are so entangled in intra-party rivalry that they have no time for the country, by Achyut Wagle (kp), HLPM fails to finalise draft of joint resolution motion (rn), HLPM task force fails to meet again as leaders busy themselves elsewhere (ht), Dahal has agenda for HLPM meet (kp), 'Statute, peace from Maoist govt', by Shiva Apriya (ht), No constitution unless there's a Maoist-led unity govt: Dahal (nn), CPN-UML unveils new scheme on peace (rn), UML talks panel for unity govt (kp) [Mr Oli is not qualified to lead this panel , because of his involvement in the misuse scandal of government vehicles!!], Identity politics: It has become fashionable to refer to Ethiopia as a successful model of ethnic federalism, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Access to justice for vulnerable: Achievements celebrated (rn), Women activists demand 'meaningful' share in govt (ht)

24/02/2010: It’s break time for CC (kp), Thematic bodies fail to give reports to constitutional panel (rn), Work at a standstill as constitution clock ticks, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Ostrich look-alikes (ht), Idea of rainbow coalition clicks (kp), The UML’s emphasis should be on engagement, not confrontation (kp), 3 injured in Tuesday’s gherao (kp), RPP-N pickets Singha Durbar (ht), Nepalis against Ethnic Federalism: Carter Center (tg), Taskforce fails to forge consensus (nn), Maoists loses a friend in the opposition bench (nn), 'Anti-corruption agencies in Nepal lack clear jurisdiction' (nn) [see 2009 Assessment of Global Integrity Report for Nepal

23/02/2010: ‘Federalism linked to decentralisation’ (kp), Number row hits fighters' integration task, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ht), Fighters’ number bone of contentionFighters’ number bone of contention (kp), Govt working on ‘one combatant, one weapon’ (rn), The places in between: The eclipse in the social demands that the Maoists raised and pursued will likely cost the party, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Royalist party brings life to halt (kp), Bandh affects business activities (rn), Bandh disrupts life in Valley (ht), Tharu-MJF ties sour (kp), Growing Uncertainty (rn), Culture In The New Era, by Prem Khatry (rn), Donors suspend aid in education over corruption charges on minister (nn), Khanal seeks better govt performance, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Legal experts term CA tenure extension unconstitutional (ht), Gachchhadar comes down against big three parties' role in constitution-making (nn)

22/02/2010: Hindu state to be addressed: DPM (ht) [Sujata, do you want to reintroduce the biggest mistakes of the 1990 constitution? Religion/culture and politics have to be separated! Besides, your figures are misleading: More than 40% belong to ethnic groups, almost 5% are Muslims, upto 15% are Dalits; they all remain excluded in a Hindu state as they have been for centuries! Bahunbad is over!!], Declare Nepal a Hindu state, students tell government (ht), Musahar calls for review of academic qualifications (ht), PM defends arms import (kp), No puzzle (ht), Rags to riches: Our political leaders arrived in Kathmandu with only the clothes on their backs, by Shyam K.C. (kp), Corruption by consensus: A free-for-all has resulted as the local bodies have had no elected reps since 2002, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), Government change won’t help constitution drafting, interview with Agni Kharel (kp), ICC ratification delay: Parties’ fear of the past to blame (kp), 'Ratify Rome Statute to end impunity' (ht), PM eyes HLPM hot seat (kp), ‘Govt not bound to follow HLPM decisions’ (rn), RPP-N bandh cripples valley life (nn), Peace minister talks of 'one combatant one weapon' theory for integration;govt plan unacceptable for Maoists (nn), Extra-judicial killings still continuing: NHRC (nn)

21/02/2010: The way forward: The common cause must be ‘drafting equality, executing equality and administering equality’, by Laxman Tharu, Buddha Tsering Moktan and Shakun Serchand Leslie (kp), Equality for all: We can’t escape from our history of injustice, but we can ensure equality in the new setup, by Surendra R. Devkota (kp), HLPM no good, says DPM Gachhadar (ht), Gachhadar warns of revolt against Big 3: MJF to announce Madhes stir today (kp), MJF to announce stir programme today (ht), Govt imports arms, Maoists cry foul (ht), ‘Proposed provinces financially unviable’ (kp), Ammo for APF fires up Maoists, by Phanindra Dahjal (kp), Explosives, gunpowder brought for training purpose: Rawal (rn), Intra-party Feud Hampers Statute Writing, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Discrimination, by Urmila Nepal (rn), PM Nepal says only 30 percent work remain to finish statute-writing task; discusses army integration with NC Prez (nn) [??], Making Mockery Of Democracy In Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

20/02/2010: Tharus warn of protests (kp), Tharus for multiple federal units in Tarai (ht), Maoists warn of dire results: Say pay discontinuation may disrupt peace; combatants salary row, by Keshav P. Koirala (kp), Maoist combatants to be paid in bearer cheques (rn), Mechanism revives resolution motion (kp), HLPM to take up power-sharing issue, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Govt, parties behind worsening HR: INSEC (kp) [see executive summary of the INSEC yearbook 2010], PM disagrees with report (kp) [???], All functions and no work for PM?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ht), UML's Khanal faction wants PM to quit, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Sujata Koirala threatens to pull out of govt if UML doesn’t ‘improve’ (nn), Govt refutes allegation of arms import; UCPN (M) says APF 'arms consignment' aimed at derailing peace process (nn) Polls only option if CA fails on timely statute: Experts (ht) [????], UCPN-M to launch 3-month campaign for timely statute (ht)

19/02/2010: Political culture is the problem: Political culture is more important than the model of governance for democrats, says political scientist Krishna Khanal, an interview (nt), Simmering uncertainties: People bear the brunt, by Sameer M. Dixit (ht), Nepal has an int’l story to showcase: May complete demining by next year (kp), Matter of concern: The Maoists need to demonstrate greater flexibility on integration (kp), No ifs or buts: The people have assigned the CA to write a constitution, and that’s the way it will be, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), It ain't so: Prithivi Narayan Shah was hardly a multicultural statesman, by Mahendra Lawoti (kp), Envoys urge to prepare exit policy of OHCHR (kp), Elite panel comes under fresh fire (kp), Gautam for national govt (kp), Gautam for national govt inclusive of Maoists (ht), Big three parties agree to resolve impasse; to finalize joint resolution motion in 2 days (nn), Bhattarai warns of 'serious consequences' if PLA salary stopped (nn), 'Maoists obstructing Special Committee's works' (nn), INSEC paints grim pic of mid region violence ht)

18/02/2010: ‘Concern over legal system’: Rights groups call for immediate handover of Basnet (kp), Bennett urges Army to hand over Basnet (kp), Rights groups demand justice for slain Maina Sunuwar (nn), Govt urged not to obstruct Maina case proceedings (ht), Envoys lobby for OHCHR extension: Government in a dilemma, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt urged to take steps to end impunity (rn), Rule of the prole: Rulers love special privileges and our communists are no different, by Deepak Thapa (kp), CA bars members from going on foreign visits (nn), Maoists reactivate people's court in Sankhuwasabha, by Kishor Budhathoki (ht)

17/02/2010: 100-day countdown begins for CA (kp), ‘Big three’ mull extension of statute deadline, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), CPN-UML youth pickets CA (ht), Guerrillas in the mist: ‘People’s war’ was part of an overall Nepali political transformation, by Abhi Subedi (kp), 5,000 recruits in near future: Army (kp), Army control not UNMIN ‘duty’ (kp), UNMIN brushes aside recount of combatants (ht), Prakash calls HLPM ineffective (ht), Govt's performance not satisfactory: Khanal's report (nn)

16/02/2010: Space and security: There are two lessons Nepal can learn from the peace process in Northern Ireland, by Anup Phayal (kp), OHCHR concerned (kp), OHCHR condemns threats to editors over news on media entrepreneur murder (nn)

15/02/2010: CMDP declares pressure campaign for timely constitution (nn), Come together: Our main duty is to write a constitution, and the parties need to unite for this purpose, by Shyam K.C. (kp), Army integration: NC chief finds lack of leadership in PM (kp), ‘Peace bid won’t complete before Maoist-led govt’ (rn), Hindu fundamentalists shut far western region (nn), Playing numbers (ht), People's Front Nepal proposes 3 provinces (ht)

14/02/2010: Tharuhat state declared, by Diwakar Bhandari (ht), HLPM meet hits snag yet again (kp), HLPM meet inconclusive; PM for inducting small parties (rn), 40pc PLA may have left camps: Ruling coalition (kp), Govt to ask UNMIN to give actual number of Maoist fighters, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Prachanda had already okayed strength: GPK, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Prachanda for forging alliance of patriotic forces (rn), Constitution Writing Gets Lopsided Priority, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Constitution Writing Controversy And Reality, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

13/02/2010: Constitution Deadline Controversy (rn), NC to thrash out issues with PM (kp), Gachchhadar rules out bulk integration of combatants (rn), HLPM meet inconclusive (nn), HLPM redundant if it can't topple govt: Dr Bhattarai (ht) [??], Holding the centre: The Maoists have come a long way since 1996, but the struggle to balance the demands of political order with those of liberty and autonomy continues, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Deuba lays down preconditions for statute (ht) [Why do you not include the end of impunity and the punishment of of all crimes??], Tharuhat Swayatta Rajya declared (nn)

12/02/2010: Federal realities: Federalism may not be as bad as it's carved up to be, by Prashant Jha (nt), Chhetris against ethnic federalism (kp), Chhetris hit streets protesting federalism (ht), Dalit doubts: Ethnic federalism will further marginalise Dalits, by Mitra Pariyar (nt), "Dalit liberation within ethnic provinces", interview with Tilak Pariyar, CA member, UCPN (Maoist) (nt), "Ethnic provinces will harm the nation", interview with Mohammad Aftab Alam, CA member/minister, NC (nt), Minister of defiance: What do you do when a minister defies the PM? Fire him, or as the case may be, her!, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Govt mulls bringing in military component: Restructuring defence ministry, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Soldiers sacrifice: Besides the martyrs, army personnel who fell in the civil war must be honoured too, by Ranadhoj Limbu-Angbuhang (kp), Maoists not against army integration: Prachanda (rn), Hope, despair over statute; Dahal: Deadline miss makes prez commoner (kp), Failure to issue constitution on time will spell crisis, warns Dahal (nn), PM: Govt committed to promulgate statute on time (rn) [The promulgation of the new constitution is the task of the CA, not that of the government!!], UCPN (Maoist) bars its CA members from attending foreign agency, NGO functions (nn), Relief fund for war victims 'misused' (ht), NC to seek clarification from PM over UML 'monopoly' in govt (nn)

11/02/2010: Plug holes in statute: Report (kp) [see full report by CHRGJ in English and Nepali], Divide and rule: A 14-province Nepal is a big joke and a recipe for disaster in terms of management, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Panel for 27 parts in new statute (ht), Gachhadar says statute within 15 days if parties concur; Maoist leader says maybe even within a week (nn) [What a nonsense!!], Discharged PLAs eye security jobs, by Janak Nepal and Durgalal K.C. (kp), Discharged ones still clinging to politics, by Khem Bahadur Budha (ht), HLPM meet postponed (nn), UNMIN chief worried at slow progress in peace process (nn)

10/02/2010: CC gives its sub-committee five more days to prepare draft statute (nn), Tamangs to protest federal structure (ht), One Madhesh demand is against Nepal and Nepali Nationalism, interview with Laxman Tharu (tg), So far so good: The discharge process marks an important step in Maoist transformation (kp), Maoists plan to recruit discharged combatants in YCL (nn), AHRC raises concern over impunity of army officers involved in Maina murder case (nn) [!!!!], Bhandari defends army over rights violation (kp) [????], Mongrel nation: VP Jha’s oath on Sunday both in Maithili and Nepali was a politically symbolic act of embracing more than one identity, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Oath and death: Jha’s swearing-in and Shah’s murder raise a number of excruciating questions, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Unless we have right to self determination, constitution can’t be drafted, interview with Narayan Kaji Shrestha, CPN-Maoist (tg), UML cadres used arms in Sindhuli clash: Report (ht), NC mulls post-statute scenario, by Prakash Acharya (ht)

09/02/2010: Discharge process completed; Conclusion a positive step: UNSC members (kp), Discharge of disqualified PLA fighters comes to an end (ht), Statement by Representative of the Secretary-General Karin Landgren at Discharge Ceremony in Rolpa (Relief Web), ‘Forced to not leave the party’: ex-combatants, by Janak Nepal and Durgalal K.C. (kp), Uproar in House over Shah’s murder (kp), Jamim Shah murder: Rights bodies fret about security situation (ht), NC lawmakers want change of guard (kp), NC lawmakers flay party ministers (ht), Finding balance: There are flaws in the concept paper on state restructuring, but many of the objections to it are wrong headed, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Parties misappropriate dev funds: Ministry report, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (ht), Time short for perfect constitution: Acharya (ht)

08/02/2010: Engage Maoists so that they don’t take up arms, interview with Christophe Jaffrelot (kp), Limbuwan bandh cripples life in eastern region (ht), Special committee hits snag: Basis for fighters’ integration sticking point (kp), Constitution on time? Impossibl, e: Bamdev (kp), Bhattarai for rooting out discrimination (kp), Jha Vice-President, again: Takes fresh oath in Maithili, Nepali (kp), Veep post reactivated as Jha takes fresh oath, by Prakash Acharya (ht), VP's fresh oath stirs controversy again, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Waiting for genuine leader: From the core of the heart, by Meeta Singh (ht), Devote time on statute, Maoist CA members told (ht), Disqualified fighters' discharge to be over today (ht), Discharge of disqualified combatants concluding today (nn), Discharge of disqualified PLA men completes (nn), Police arrest central member of JTMM (nn)

07/02/2010: Finding commonalities: Differences in the CA may not be as irreconcilable as commonly thought (kp), All right! Self-determination means the right to enjoy all the democratic rights, not secession, by Anil K. Shrestha (kp), Khambuwan warns of arm conflict (kp), Bandh cripples nine eastern districts (nn), HLPM to end deadlock (kp), Defunct VP Parmananda Jha taking oath in Maithili today (nn), Jha takes fresh oath in Nepali, Maithali to revive VP post (nn), Political Viruses In Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

06/02/2010: Big three want fewer commissions (kp), Gachchhadar seeks state restructuring commission (rn), State structure plan riles Chhetris (ht), UML forms task force to suggest party’s position on state restructuring, form of governance (nn) [5 Bahuns and 5 others in this task force; very inclusive and representative!!], Jha’s oath likely on Sunday (kp), Post-conflict Police Reform And Human Rights, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rn), Let’s Be Diplomatic, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), HLPM meet postponed due to Koirala's poor health condition (nn), Tharu body calls off Terai bandh (nn), CC begins statute drafting process (ht), Panel dwells on collecting public opinion on statute (ht)

05/02/2010: CA enters statute drafting phase, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Jimmy Carter upbeat, warns against delay (kp), ICJ appeals to AG: Hand over Basnet (kp), Jha defiance may brew yet another controversy (kp), Missing factors: The State Restructuring Commission, if it is formed, would be just a technical body, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Finalising the federal structure: The proposal for 14 ethnicity based provinces has to be endorsed by a majority in the CA, which is unlikely, by Dhruba Simkhada (nt), United we stand tall: "Twenty million out of twenty-seven million Nepalis are with the Maoists", by Prashant Jha (nt), Open wounds: The nature of reconciliation is such that government itself has to be involved, and doling out cash compensation won't cut it, by Mallika Aryal (nt), Parties, Power and Pelf, by Dipak Gyawali (sp), "Nepal’s geostrategic position is its major strength", interview with Francis G. Hutchins (sp), Farewell To Arms: Disqualified Maoist combatants are leaving cantonments for an uncertain destiny, by UZmna Kanta Khanal (sp)

04/02/2010: Take a call on merger strength, HLPM told (ht), Leave-taking PLAs warn of waging war, by Suryamani Gautam (ht), 494 fighters leave camp (kp), AISC meet stresses speedy integration (rn), Nonpartisan expert to head secretariat (kp), UCPN-M to announce fifth phase of stir plan today (ht), Maoists decide on toned-down protest (kp), Dissolve HLPM: DPM (kp), Gachchhadar demands HLPM’s dissolution (rn), HLPM fails to meet (nn), Veep's oath row still draws flak (ht), Members of Tarai armed outfit give in (ht), Small leap forward: The initiatives towards gender equality are great, but implementation is not so great, by Prativa Subedi (kp), It ain't right: Old attitudes about women are changing, but not enough (kp), Yes we can: Citizens should act responsibility when the government is not able to deliver, by Ravi Kumar (kp), Shape Of The Country, by Shyam K.C. (rn), Constitution writing to commence from today: CA chair (nn)

03/02/2010: State Restructuring: Bhattarai moots referendum (kp), CA debate: Parties voice differences on model of federalism (nn), Sit-in for new statute (kp), PM to discuss key issues of army integration with parties; Maoists want HLPM to take final decision (nn), Loosen up: The governing parties shouldn’t view the HLPM with suspicion (kp), US: Aid to Nepal Army conditional (kp) [!!!], Security plan draws flak (kp), New Nepali nationalism: When the Taraiwasis begin to shout nationalist slogans, then you better believe there is clear danger to Nepal, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Country without auditor general (kp), NC leader warns to take up arms against Maoists (nn) [??]

02/02/2010: Maoists not advocating ethnicity-based federalism to promote 'communal politics', Bhattarai clarifies (nn), IPMF announces second phase of protest (kp), Maoist proposal for deadlock resolution (kp), GPK to Maoists: Shun anti-India politics, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), Evolution and growth: The recent Standing Committee meeting of the Maoists demonstrated how much the party has evolved in the past four years, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Farmers seize 13 hectares (kp), Sujata demands women representation in HLPM (nn), JTMM-J commander killed in police encounter (nn), Any sign? (ht), Relief eludes insurgency victims, by Shakti Kumar Pun (ht)

01/02/2010: NEFIN hails 14-state model (kp), MJF rallies across Tarai (kp), Proposal not in the interest of the indigenous, marginalised: Yadav (kp), CA debate sees only Maoists supporting 14-state federal structure (nn), CA begins discussion on state restructuring draft (rn), State Restructuring Commission sought (ht), Kirant activists shut Dharan sanskrit schools, by Ratna Prasad Acharya (ht), Newa body decries politics in local bodies (ht), Remark lands Sujata in soup (kp), Sujata’s remarks negative, says PM (rn), PM to seek DPM's clarification (ht), NC against change in guard: Nidhi (ht), Extremists want to see peace process derailed, interview with Ishwor Pokhrel (kp), Peace, statute top priority: Maoists (kp), ‘Ex-combatants now under govt’, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Special Committee finalises PLA chain-of-command (nn), 9-member secretariat to ease army integration, by Prakash Acharya (ht), HLPM meeting dwells on 'joint resolution' (nn)

31/01/2010: UML against 14-state setup: Seeks viable comity of federal units, undecided on numbers (kp), PLA integration & rehabilitation: PM’s plan in trouble, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Restorative justice: The constitution drafters should understand that Nepal is a sum total of its castes and ethnic groups, by Laxman Tharu, Gopal Dahit and Shakun Sherchand Leslie (kp), PM not happy with Sujata (nn), Maoists defer announcing protest programmes (nn)

30/01/2010: NC ups ante against UML-led government (kp), NC leaders for change of govt (nn), Sujata favours alternative to current govt (nn), HLPM to form SRC (kp) [as decided by four male Bahuns??], Congress bats for HLSRC (ht), HLPM meet discusses formation of state restructuring panel (rn), UML for determining state restructuring through a commission (nn), HLPM panels to probe clashes among cadres (ht), Prachanda smells plot against statute writing (rn), MJF chief lashes out at big 3 (kp), Gachchhadar demands inclusion of Madhesi parties in HLPM (nn), Vice President may take oath in Nepali, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht) [??], CPN-UML, UCPN-M cadres clash (ht), Formation of Armed NC Youth necessary: Khadka (rn) [???], Country has 70,000 internally displaced people: Report (ht)

29/01/2010: House makes 7th amendment to statute, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), House amends Interim Constitution for 7th time, by Liladhar Upadhyaya (rn), VP reinstatement bill passed (kp), Not a bad shoW: For all their tardiness, the CA committees are making some progress (kp), Thump for fourth phase stir: Maoist standing committee for intensifying protests (kp), Democratic-regime building in Nepal: Moving beyond tokenism?, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Deepening crisis: The current trend is to make NA a bystander at the behest of various external and internal actors, by Dilip Rayamajhi (kp), Just a minute: It is essential to study what kind of mandate federalism has received from the people, by Prakash A. Raj (kp), Dahal's whisper to Gautam: Revolt from UML and join Maoist party (nn), HLPM meet dwells on Sindhuli incident (nn)

28/01/2010: Minority Rights: Unsettling crisis for religious groups, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp), MJF, Tharu body one for 'territorial autonomy' of Tarai (ht), Forms of government: The committee’s report is a compilation of varied party positions and not a consensus, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Legal yes, but moral no: Madhav Nepal should cut the crap and resign if he really cares about the country, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), Koirala: integration is HLPM’s priority (kp), Maoists seek security policy before army integration (rn), Protecting Criminals, by Shyam K.C. (rn), Confusing signals (ht), At Last Formation of HLPM in Nepal, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician)

27/01/2010: Special Committee readies structure to take over PLA, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), AISC meet agrees on organisation structure, Plan to bring PLA under panel's control (rn), PLA chain of command to be finalised tomorrow (ht), HLPM to decide number of Maoist combatants to be integrated in security forces (nn), Can he do it? The next few months will be a test of the PM’s abilities (kp), Prithvi Narayan and Eklabya: Prithvi Narayan Shah’s ambition to establish “asal Hindustan” clashed with his conceptualisation of his kingdom as a “shared garden”, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Follow directions: The parties should revisit the CPA and implement its provisions to move forward, by Achyut Wagle (kp), ‘Delivery of justice provides impetus to peace process’ (kp), Discussion on Maoist demands to be initiated (kp), We appeal Nepal Army to support us in our fight for National Independence, interview with Naryan Kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash’ (tg), Brahmin culture is prevalent among Brahmins, Madhesis and Dalits, interview with Matrika Yadav (tg), MJF, Tharus join hands against 'disintegration of Terai' (nn), Double jeopardy (ht), Why do Maoists keep backtracking?, by Prakash Acharya (ht), CC fails to make crucial nominations (ht), Special rights for Dalits in new constitution urged (ht), “Bahuns almost like Dalits due to govt discriminatory policy” (nn) [Wow, there are now as many Dalits in leading positions in all spheres of life as there are Bahuns??]

26/01/2010: Indigenous CA members threaten fire (kp), Integration, statute in 4 months: Nepal (kp), House to reactivate Vice Prez (kp), UCPN-M adopts a week's wait-and-watch policy (kp), Acknowledge our contribution, plead disqualified fighters (ht), Dalit body submits memo to Prachanda (ht), Dahal wants debate in HLPM on Maoist demands (nn), CC fails to meet, PM asked to look for alternatives to 'absentee' members (nn)

25/01/2010: Tharus to protest 14-state model (kp), NSP declares autonomous Madhes state (nn), SC vacates Toran promotion stay (kp), NA, PLA don’t see eye-to-eye: Security sector reform, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Plan to reign in PLA (kp), Integration of Maoist army discussed (rn), Maoist combatants should renounce affiliation with party before integration: PM Nepal (nn), 475 disqualified combatants leave PLA cantonment in Ilam (nn), Big media against UCPN (Maoist): Dahal (kp), PM cautions ministers (kp), Brothers in arms: An insecure environment is likely to push more people to arm themselves (kp), Dynamics of constitution making: This is the time to think beyond current requirements, by Subhash Chandra Nemwang (kp)

24/01/2010: Thank goodness (kp), Govt against wholesome PLA integration: Pokharel (kp), ToR can lead to peace: Dahal; Warns parties not to use HLPM for ploys (kp), HLPM not formed to topple govt, Sujata clarifies (nn), Sujata: HLPM futile without me (kp) [???], Constituent Assembly: UML divided over governance (kp), Internal rift in UML reflects in constitution drafting (nn), Identity and integration: The ruling class has refused to negotiate seriously with the marginalised, by Yash Ghai (kp), Interesting times: The Maoists are outmanoeuvring the parties with an election-style campaign, by Alok K. Bohara (kp), Bhattarai for Maoist govt (kp), SC vacates stay order on Toran's promotion (nn) [???], Two-Hundred-Day Administration Of Madhav Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

23/01/2010: Battle over ‘One Madhes’, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Madhesi parties take exception in state restructuring report (nn), Maoists call off agitation: HLPM finalises ToR, working procedures (kp), Maoists call off general strike, High Level Mechanism fixes TOR, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), High-level political mechanism has no constitutionality: Pokhrel (rn), OHCHR rights report wrong, says govt: Government has withdrawn cases only after Supreme Court’s consent (kp), Addressing Serious Crimes In The New Constitution, by Raj Kumar Siwakoti (rn), UNSC gives UNMIN 4-month extension: Landgren urges parties to work in unison (kp), UNMIN chief sees peace bid still under risk (rn), Peace Should Be The Goal (rn)

22/01/2010: Government to implement special panel’s decisions (kp), PM firm to abide by AISC decision (rn), Bhandari wants in: PM rejects demand outright (kp) [For the sake of Nepal's future, dismiss her immediately!!], Taskforce meet fails (kp), HLPM endorses its ToR, Maoist positive about withdrawing bandh (nn), Sujata for inducting eight more parties in HLPM (nn), HLPM Is Good But Should Deliver, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Fair deal (kp), Regional rights: Equality and unity is possible through self-determination defined as non-domination, by Mahendra Lawoti (kp), Things to do: It is urgent to reaffirm our commitment to democracy if we are to get out of this mess, by Shibani Pandey (kp), Gen. Kapoor’s visit significantly timed, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), ‘India behind royal massacre’ (kp), Thapa: PLA fighters could be mobilised (kp), VP post to be revived (kp), Another lot leaves Parasi camp (kp), All thematic panels submit drafts to CA, by K.P. Gautam (rn), UNSC extends UNMIN term by nearly four months (nn), UN Nepal mission to leave by mid-May (Khaleej Times), Excluding exclusion in Nepal by including the excluded: What is in the Interim Report of the National Inclusion Commission?, by Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan (sp), Impossible tasks made possible, by Surya Dhungel (sp), Political Machinations: Despite lofty goals the high-level political mechanism raises low expectations, by Saroj Dahal (sp), “Nepal has all the possibilities to build up the strong society strong with good fortune in the future”, interview with Pekka Hallberg (sp), Int’l Conference on Constitution Making: Lessons Galore, by Keshap Poudel (sp) [including several interviews]

21/01/2010: CA panel endorses 14 provinces (kp), Dealing With Differences, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), Defence Minister sparks Maoist fire (kp), PM seeks explanation from Bhandari (kp), PM comes clean on Bhandari's statement; dubs it 'irresponsible' (nn), AISC takes a strong stand against Defense Minister's statement (nn), Govt refutes Bhandari's remarks (rn), Dahal: Protesting for independence (kp), Campaign for national independence: Prachanda (rn), ‘Agitation to go ahead’ (kp), Peace Process: Human rights ‘top’ US agenda (kp), Mystery man, by Surendra R. Devkota (kp), Government to build rehabilitation centres (kp), HLPM Gets Into Business (rn), Maoists for change in the system of governance: Bhattarai (nn), 388 disqualified combatants discharged from PLA cantonment in Nawalparasi (nn)

20/01/2010: HLPM taskforce to draft ToR (kp), HLPM forms taskforce, sets terms of reference (rn), Defence Minister defies PM-led Special Committee (kp) [??? Dismiss her immediately!!], Bhandari rejects mass integration of armies (rn), Maoist leaders threaten to opt out of AISC over Defense Minister's remark (nn), Justice denied (kp), Speech acts in politics: Nepali politics has drawn important responses to its speech acts from outside, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Indigenous Taraiwasi vs. Madhesi: Why have the likes of Lekhi and Tharu taken up the cudgel against Madhesi leaders?, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Apex court stops ‘humiliating’ bounty, by Kamal Raj Sigdel (kp)

19/01/2010: Indian army chief arrives today (rn), Maoists boycott House over Indian Army chief remarks (kp), Pun says trip ill-timed (kp), Maoists stage protest in front of Indian Embassy (nn), Special panel okays rehab, integration procedures: deciding maoist fighters’ fate, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Prachanda threatens another revolt (rn), Drawing attention:A gathering of civil society leaders was a reminder that the peace process agreements have been forgotten, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), US: UNMIN role very positive (kp), Defence minister refutes arms import reports; challenges Special Committee's mandate (nn) [Once again anti-peace statements!], HLPM meet forms committee to determine its functions (nn), UCPN (M) urges US to de-list it from terror watch list (nn)

18/01/2010: Civil society: Focus on statute (kp), Oppn to two-province-Madhes sutra (kp), SC extends Toran stay order (kp), 222 fighters bid adieu to Shaktikhor, by Sipendra Baduwal (kp), 258 combatants leave Chitwan cantonment (rn), Maoist leaders revive threats to take up arms again (nn), Maoists offer talks with Delhi; HLPM should be expanded: Madhes parties (kp), The extent of foreign involvement: will be determined by our behaviour, interview with Prakash Chandra Lohani (kp), No talks with armed outfits: Chemjong (kp), Nepal receives international inputs on the draft constitution (nn)

17/01/2010: Peace hurdles remain: UNMIN chief (ht), HLPM will boost peace: Landgren (kp), CA's governance panel to submit report tomorrow (ht), Governance Structure: CA panel okays concept paper (kp), MJF to protest for single Madhes (ht) [How can you deny the rights and wishes of the indigenous ethnic groups of the Tarai??], Disqualified PLA discharged from Chitwan (nn 17/01/2010), A High Level Political Mechanism In Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

16/01/2010: CA panel presents two models, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Sub-committee recommends two models of state restructuring (nn), 'Ban mistaken about peace process' (ht) [No, Mr Koirala, the UN General Secretary is absolutely right!!], UN report misses the mark: Koirala (kp), Nepali envoy to UN apprises Security Council of progress on peace process (nn), Urgency shown by parties gives hope, UNMIN says (nn), UCPN (Maoist) claims NA imported arms; NA refutes (nn), Arms controversy erupts once again: NA refutes Maoist charge (kp), Nepal: Prosecute systematic crimes committed during Civil War, by Jaya Ramachadran (i on Global Trends)

15/01/2010: Peace process at a standstill: Ban (ht), Ban warns of collapse of Nepal’s peace bid, All parties called on to burry hatchet (rn), Ban: Mistrust plaguing peace; Asks regional powers to do more (kp), NC president unhappy with UNSG report (nn), Failure to address impunity risks peace process: ICG (kp), Key ruling on extrajudicial killing (kp), Maoists to announce 'people's constitution' (ht) [??], Maoist wings tussle ethnic states (ht), "Creating federal units is not like cutting a birthday cake" (nt), CA timeless: Minister Khand (ht) [??], Film on famous ‘Das Dhunga’ put on hold, by Prabalta Rijal (rn) [protected impunity??], A Giant Step Forward In The Peace Process, by Indra Karki (rn), A tall order: The high level mechanism has many wishes to fulfil in a short period, by Khagendra N. Sharma (ht), HLPM berth for PM gets Dahal’s nod; Koirala to Maoists: Withdraw protests (kp), Discharge process moves on: Jutpani to bid disqualified adieu (kp), Taking Nepal out of the Nepal Valley: There are many things we can do to make Kathmandu livable, but moving the capital is the one sure shot, by Rabi Thapa (nt), Life expectancy lower for indigenous people - UN (Radio New Zealand)

14/01/2010: Nepal: Peace and justice (International Crisis Group), 'Parties responsible for impunity' (ht), ‘Parties and govt behind rising impunity in Nepal’ (kp), What all is being done to democratise army, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ht), Maoist chairman Dahal takes U-turn on PM's inclusion in HLPM (nn), Political mechanism: Dysfunctional, if self-interest rules, by Birendra P. Mishra (ht), Ministry for culture proposed, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (ht), Ex-envoy for deploying PLA to guard borders (ht), Justice remains far cry for kin of disappeared, by Krishna Prasad Dhakal (ht), Bandh in East largely peaceful (ht), Bandh affects life in Birgunj, Sankhuwasabha (rn), Murder triggers Tarai banda (kp), Maoists hastily withdraw Terai bandh (nn), NRNA renews its call for dual citizenship for NRNs (nn), NRNs indirectly demand dual citizenship with PM (rn) [No, they demand it directly!!], New policy to allow Non Resident Nepalis buy property and enter Nepal without visa (Asian Tribune), Yes, Prime Minister (rn), Picking their brains: We could learn much from the international constitutional experts meeting this week, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Dashed hopes: The discontent of disqualified Maoist combatants doesn’t augur well for the country, by Kalpana Dhakal (kp), Nepal peace process close to standstill due to tensions and mistrust, UN warns (Relief Web)

13/01/2010: RJNs East bandh: Fear of clash grips people (ht), Shape of things to come (kp), No alternative to federalism, but not ethnicity-based (rn), Tarai violence on; secy killed (ht), Three views to be forwarded for CA (ht), Governance Structure: CA panel okays parallel status for 3 proposals (kp), UNMIN extension sought (ht), Managing combatants, a rider for power sharing?, by Prakash Acharya (ht), UML flimsy salvo against Nepal President Dr. Yadav: Analysts (tg), Songs of silence (kp), PM has no place in HLMP: Prachanda (ht), ‘No need to include PM in HLPM’ (kp), Prachanda: HLPM to end deadlock, help draft statute (rn), NC, UML agree to include PM Nepal in HLPM (nn) [Once again four male Bahuns at the controls, two of them not even elected by the people!?], Experts: Draft inclusive constitution (kp), UML-led govt weakest in history: Yadav (ht), Ensure Law And Order (rn), Mandated action not punishable: Pun (kp) [There was a civil war in Nepal. Not those who have fought this war have to be punished but all those who have committed crimes under the pretension of war, including the leading persons behind these crimes! Else, the rule of law has never a chance in  Nepal!!]

12/01/2010: Panel mulling PLAs integration (ht), Army integration plan draws flak (ht), Taplejung bandh called off (ht), Tharus against extended CA tenure (ht), ‘CC ignored minorities’: Tharu community demands redraft (kp), UML to Prez: Don’t overstep bounds (kp) [He already did so in May 2009!], Banda business (kp), Leninism blues: Nepal's Leninist organisations could learn from what happened in Latin America, by Anil Bhattarai (kp), Righting the wrongs: The government and rights defenders must own UDHR document, by Gopal Krishna Siwakoti (kp), 2010 critical year for peace process: EU (kp), Maoist chairman rules out PM Nepal's inclusion in HLPM (nn)

11/01/2010: Parties agree to settle Jha row (ht), SC stay order on till Jan 17 (ht), Galvanisation now (ht), Limbuwan warns against Maoists (ht), Prachanda miffed at parties for snubbing elite panel, by Shivaraj Bhatta (ht), Bandh largely peaceful despite sporadic violence (ht), 30 vehicles vandalised in anti-federal strike (rn), Banda remains largely peaceful: Three hurt, half a dozen vehicles vandalized (kp), UCPN-M defaming communist movement: RJN (ht), Deuba demands inclusion of 24 parties in high level body (rn) [What a nonsense! Use the CA where all parties are included!!], HLPM won’t be all inclusive: Dahal (kp), ‘Critics of HLPM speaking language of foreigners’ (rn), European envoys welcome formation of HLPM, PLA discharge (nn), Political forces ignoring architect of unified Nepal (rn) [Yes, we have to thank Prithvi Narayan Shah that Nepal exists as an independent nation, but he also laid the foundations for many current problems through the non-inclusiveness of this state!!], Federal states not possible in nation: Pradip Nepal (rn) [But this has been part of your party's program in the CA elections!!], MJF renews Madhes demand (kp), Tharu body miffed at CC draft (nn), Land grabbers, by Jagannath Adhikari (kp), Taplejung banda on (kp), Maoists withdraw indefinite Taplejung, Panchthar bandh (nn), Indian Hindu fundamentalists concerned over China tightening its grip on Nepal (nn), UML lawmakers raise objection to President's remarks (nn)

10/01/2010: State restructuring report on card, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), High Level Political Mechanism (rn), Oli, Bhattarai term HLPM useless (ht), Tarai parties cautiously hail HLPM formation, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Khanal claims parties have no disputes on HLPM (nn), Poudel for PM's inclusion to make HLPM 'effective' (nn), Country's National Day still a confusion (ht), Many yet to get the feel of SSP: Report (ht), People back Maoists in fight for independence: Prachanda (ht), Culture Of Bandh, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), New Delhi, Maoists seem to drift further apart, by Akhilesh Upadhyay (kp), ‘I am not at variance with Dahal’ (kp), Nobel Peace Prize For Girija, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

09/01/2010: High-level mechanism set in place, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Koirala leads High-Level Political Mechanism, by Anil Giri (kp), High level mechanism formed, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), HLPM brings cheers, jeers, by Lilaballav Ghimire (kp), UNMIN all praise (ht), UNMIN hails formation of HLPM (rn), Bhattarai too questions HLPM legitimacy (nn), 'PM' s plan technically impossible', by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ht), Four years on, war-injured awaits healing, by Khem Bahadur Budha (ht), Country sees 599 protests in one month (ht), Discharge Begins (rn), Govt writes to UN for 97-day UNMIN term extension (kp), Stop politicising crime: NHRC (kp), Ruins of the land, by Durgalal K.C. (kp)

08/01/2010: Significant Breakthrough (rn), Oli dubs political mechanism 'unconstitutional' (nn), UNMIN welcomes formation of high level mechanism (nn), Maoist nod for PM’s integration action plan, by Baburam Kharel (kp), High hopes (kp), First lot of disqualified PLAs out, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), 201 disqualified combatants sent home, by Phanindra Dahal (kp), Relief nowhere (ht), Overriding national concern For long-term peace, by Kamal Raj Dhungel (ht), Madhesi parties parley with NC (ht), Forces trying to revive 1990 constitution: Dr Bhattarai (ht), Great Wall Of Divide, by Sushil Sharma and Saroj Dahal (sp), People Should Own New Constitution, interview with Suresh Acharya, President of Media Initiative for Rights, Equity and Social Transformation-Nepal (MIREST Nepal) (sp), International conference on dynamics of constitution making in Nepal in post-conflict scenario, January 15-17, 2010 (sp), The Deadline Dynamics: An international conference on constitution making in Nepal is starting next week amidst the rush towards meeting the deadline, by Keshab Poudel (sp), “Nepalese themselves to decide the system that they want”, interview with Cheryl Saunders (sp), “It is a 'constitutional moment'”, interview with Thio Li-ann (sp), “The constitutional process has taken time in Nepal”, interview with Bob Rae (sp), Where Government Is Weak, People Suffer, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Federalism, Sujata And Referendum, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Brahmsaling For Brahmins! (rn), MJF unveils protest programme, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Boost to veep-elect Jha (kp), Let the others speak, by Khagendra N. Sharma (kp), Righting wrongs, by Mahendra Bantawa 'Masanta' (kp), Maoist chairman renews revolt rhetoric (nn), Eastern hilly and Terai districts closed due to Maoist strike (nn), Anti-ordnance ordinance: There is no reason Nepal should not ratify the anti-landmine treaty, by Kunda Dixit (nt), Disappeared: Families of the disappeared haven't received the promised help, by Gopal Gartoula (nt), Missing justice: Impunity and the long shadow of war, by Ram K. Bhandari (nt), "Civil society has become passive" (nt), Five more months (nt), Unscripted lines: Without Baburam Bhattarai, the Maoists will repeat history, by Prashant Jha (nt)

07/01/2010: Parties all set to announce HLPM: Mechanism won’t have anything to do with govt affairs (kp), Yadav: UML govt will be history, by Ishwar Rauniyar (kp), Team to hold talks with MJF (kp), We’re also indigenous community: Brahmins (kp), Nothing’s everlasting, by Bhim Prasad Bhurtel (kp)

06/01/2010: PM allocates 112 days for integration, rehabilitation, by Phanindra Dahal (kp) [How shall it work? You did not manage anything at all for three years!], What’s the hurry? (kp), ‘Nat’l sovereignty most pressing need’: Dahal to lead if party joins govt, by Sanjeev Satgainya (kp), Janamorcha enforces Far West banda (kp), Parties ‘outdo’ armed outfits in attacks (kp), Monoethnic or multiethnic federalism?, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Nepal: Federalism Distaste?, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Nepal cannot be pushed to disintegration in the name of Federalism, interview with Chitra Bahadur K.C. (tg)

05/01/2010: Maoists for 14 autonomous states, by Tika R. Pradhan (ht), Maoist CC rethink on autonomy (kp), Maoist nationwide protest to concentrate on protecting national sovereignty (nn), Sharing power sans change of guard!, by Prakash Acharya (ht), CC submits concept paper, draft to Nembang (ht), Chalk out common philosophy amenable to all parties, by Tanka Raj Niroula (ht), Baldev frowns at leaders for criticising PLA (ht), Statute delay can invite constitutional crisis: NBA (ht), Lawmakers knock DPM statement (ht), Sujata's remarks on federalism draw mixed reaction in parliament (nn), Discharge of disqualified combatants to begin Jan 7: All 4008 fighters to be discharged within 33 days (rn), Disqualified combatants’ discharge from Thursday (kp), Vice president’s oath row: Maoists, Tarai parties for joint resolution (kp), A fine balance: The Maoists can introduce positive changes in the operation of the state but that also depends on factors outside of their control, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Politics of substance: For their continued political relevance, the Maoists have to engage in everyday issues, by Anil Bhattarai (kp), Maina's mother appeals to Bhandari for justice (kp), Church bomber admits linkages with Hindu fundamentalists in India (nn)

04/01/2010: SC stays Toran's promotion (ht), Promotion of Toran stayed (rn), Order meaningless: NA (ht [Once again blattant disregard of judicial authority!!], 'Extend statute-drafting deadline' (ht), Maoists not to support the constitution amendment bill (nn), Maoists, Madhesi parties agree on conditional support to statute amendment (nn), DPM remark riles PM (ht), Spirit calling (ht), NC yet to desist from feudalistic nature: Khanal (ht), UML gen secy reveals love-hate relationship with Maoists (nn), Integration of PLA, NA will invite civil war: Koirala (ht) [This is a clear break of the CPA of November 2006, and it's nonsense!], Leaders pay last respects to martyr, by Sabin Chandra Acharya (ht), Presidents and deadlines, by Jill Cottrell and Yash Ghai (kp) [see also part II (05/01/2010)

03/01/2010: SC stays Toran's promotion (nn), NC PP objects Khanal's statement (ht), Coalition to amend Interim Statute (ht), Ruling parties to wow oppn on VP oath row (kp), 'Living martyr' passes away (ht), SC is regularly doing its job: PM (ht), Indefinite Kailali bandh withdrawn in 5 hrs!, by Shivaraj Bhatta (ht), Sujata for referendum on federal structure (rn), Hold referendum on federalism: Sujata (kp), DPM Koirala proposes referendum in retrospect (ht) [Stop this nonsense talk! The federal state has been on the electoral agenda of UCPN-M, NC and CPN-UML; so, the election has been the referendum with more than 70% voting for these programs!!!], PM dubs his deputy's statement on federalism 'personal' (nn), Regressive Force Raising Head, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km), The tilling fields: Land reform is necessary to establish peace and raise the people’s economic status, by Jagat Basnet (kp), People in the news: Journalists continue to be killed or disappeared even after the advent of loktantra, by Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (kp)

02/01/2010: Maoists float novel plan, by Prakash Acharya (ht), Dr Bhattarai warns of rebellion soon, by Diwakar Bhandari (ht), UNMIN presses PM on merger timeline (ht), UNMIN urged to keep closer monitoring (rn), PM to UNMIN: Maoists violating CPA (kp), Panel dwells on ToR to reform NA (ht), Importance Of Gender In Security Reform, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rn), Janajati strike affects life (rn), Bandh cripples life nationwide (ht), Kathmandu Valley sees partial effect of bandh (ht), Govt attorney defends Prez move in Supreme Court (ht), The year ahead, by Aditya Adhikari (kp), Federalism without referendum was a mistake: Sujata (nn) [?? The CA elections have been a public vote for federalism!!], Janaandolan hero succumbs to injuries (nn)

01/01/2010: Amendment bill draws flak (kp), Toran case put off (ht), Mirror, mirror (ht), Bandh affects life in Banke (rn), Rally for indigenous rights (kp), Nepal ushers in 2010 with a general strike (nn), PLA’s Integration Deserves Priority, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Maoists put captured land in Dang for sale (kp), Constituent Assembly: More later, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Landgren, Bhattarai discuss UNMIN fate: Maoists want UN body to stay 6 more months (kp), 2009 offered no solace for free press (kp), Indian Army chief visiting Nepal next month (nn) [Why??]