At last, Nepalese King Gyanendra has realized that the army and the police force are no match to people's power. There was a curfew in the Nepalese capital Katmandu and the King ordered shoot to kill anyone who break the curfew. Yesterday more than 100,000 people defied the curfew and came to the street. The same happened today too. This (largely) non-violent protest has forced King Gyanendra to announce that he is going to restore democracy within the shortest possible. He has requested the 7 opposition parties to nominate a leader for the post of Prime Minister so that he can transfer executive power. This announcement came few hours ago and I have not seen the impact of his announcement among the opposition parties. Well, I have been following events in Nepal since 1988 and the past record says that the King could take advantage of the rivalry among the major political parties and their leaders.
The recent crisis has affected the Nepalese economy very negatively. Now, the only way out is that the opposition parties becoming united to restore democracy in the country and encourage people to start normal economic activities. Well, at first the opposition parties have to reach to a consensus and the King has to keep his word. Nepalese history of last 20 years suggests that both of these are very difficult things.
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