Kathmandu: A general consensus appears to have emerged in course of discussions on the constitution which celebrated its 14th year of drafting last week that the participation of principal actors within the constitution has brought the constitution to its current state.

This consensus should now contribute to gradual concurrence in political circles that the coming developments should contribute to insurance that public personalities hence on become more responsible for the health of Nepali democracy.

Indeed, public reaction on the many statements made by prominent political leaders is one judged by this demand. Girija Prasad Koirala and Madhav Nepal as also Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa stand public judgement on this account. Widespread disgruntlement at the current state of affairs is being solely dumped on these luminaries and the Maoists who seem to be further pressed almost unanimously by the current public reaction.

Increasingly public eyes turn to the monarchy for solace over the past month as mass disgruntlement against public leaders mount. This is in distinct contrast to the trend to view our politicians with a source for solution to the current malaise.

It is this discernible change that leaves room for continued speculation that change is in the making. Increasingly, the possibility of a major shakeup becomes imminent.

While Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa would want to project his continuity in office as a matter of public confidence, his use of the royal appointment to office to strengthen his coterie is being seriously challenged from within his own party. As is his forte, Thapa’s efforts to shift the blame to the Royal Palace when convenient and to accept credit for himself when it so suits him has by now been publicly exposed.

One indication will be found in the promised expansion of the cabinet which is yet to take place. The other is the Thapa’s failure to induct the major parties in his government. Of course, carious excuses no longer hide his effort to predominate the appointment of the Constitutional Council. The failure with the Maoists in the talks also stands tall in assessments.

This has turned tables against Thapa with his deterrents using his very words describing Lokendra Bahadur Chand cabinet as the “King’s tillers” on himself as much as he would like to promote his reformist image. The fact that Thapa, as was Chand, is a King’s nominee it not lost on the body politic.

It is perhaps this and his use of this office to consolidate his political gains at the expense of the monarchy’s initiatives, more so to the detriment of the public anticipation from the monarchy that makes a directional change a near inevitability.