Hidden Nook

Gyanedra Shah is attempting to blackmail not only Nepalis but also the international community by saying that they can be either with him or with the "Maoist terrorists". He is saying there is no middle ground in Nepal, that democracy is a hindrance to resolve the political crisis facing the country, and that the Nepali people are behind him. These, of course, are arguments only compulsive liars and megalomaniacs like Gyanendra Shah can invoke.

The largest section of the Nepali population believes in democracy, has fought for at least the last five decades for democracy, and will fight for democracy in the future. This force has proved its courage, commitment and resilience in the last five decades. It has survived set-backs, suppression and sabotage, and has rejuvenated every time with more creativity and moral strength.

To imagine that this force can be obliterated or even sidelined for long is an illusion. There is no solution to the present political crisis in Nepal without the involvement of the democratic-progressive forces, that represent well over 90 percent of the Nepali people, as evidenced by ALL the election results in post-1990 Nepal. There are just too many people in Nepal who are neither royalists nor with the Maoists. To deny their existence, and to imagine a political solution without their decisive role, merely because they do not carry guns, and believe in peaceful politics, is utter foolishness and arrogance.